South Africa may play two spinners - Ravichandran Ashwin on eve of World T20 semifinal

Ravichandran Ashwin

On the eve of the 2nd World T20 semifinal, Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin said that India has a little edge over South Africa in terms of knowledge of the ground. The semifinal on Friday is set to be played at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka where India has played all their Super 10 matches. However, South Africa will be arriving from Chittagong for the match.

“We know what to expect from the ground; the pitch and all. But, when it comes down to the semi-finals, I think it is anybody’s game. We can’t really say we hold an edge or anything,” Ashwin told the reporters in Mirpur.

On Tuesday, Australian legend Shane Warne was present during the practice session of South Africa and he was seen having some discussion with South African spinner Imran Tahir.

When asked to comment on Warne’s presence in South African camp, Ashwin said he wasn’t sure what difference would it make.

“I don’t know what the South African management called him [Warne] for. Probably he could add value in terms of what he can do to spinners. Probably Tahir could have learnt something from him. We are just guessing from a far distance, so we can’t really say how much of a difference it will create,” he said.

India has played with two-specialist spinners, along with additional options of Ravindra Jadeja and Suresh Raina available with Dhoni, and the strategy has worked like a charm for them.

Talking about team composition, the 27-year-old said that he doesn’t expect changes in the Indian team but feels that South Africa may play two spinners and bring in Aaron Phangiso.

“In terms of team composition, it is pretty much up to the captain and the selection committee. We have done well in terms of our spinners and I think we will do that. Apart from that, I don’t know what significant changes we can make. They also may play two spinners. Phangiso might come,” Ashwin said.

India face South Africa in the second ICC World T20 2014 semi-final at Mirpur on Friday.