Ashwin looking for Windies wickets

Perth, March 5 (IANS) India's leading wicket taker at the World Cup, Ravichandran Ashwin said on Thursday that his main aim is to take wickets against the West Indies when the two teams clash in a Pool B encounter at the WACA here on Friday.

Off-spinner Ashwin will be bowling to the Windies batting line-up that will be led by the explosive Chris Gayle, who recently smashed the first double hundred in World Cup history against Zimbabwe.

"It is not just about Chris Gayle, it is about any other hard-hitting batsman when it comes to my bowling. As far as I am concerned, I will look to get their wicket and go strongly for getting wickets of any batsman that is pretty dangerous," Ashwin was quoted as saying by bcci.tv.

"I like to throw myself in the middle and try and see how much of an impact I can make in a game against Chris Gayle or AB de Villiers etc. I look to get them out in the middle because once you get them out, the game is going to go your way."

Regarding the approach to Friday's game, the 28-year-old said that it is going to be the same as against any other team.

“In terms of approach or preparation towards the game it is going to be the same because we are prepared for every other team the way we have prepared for the big teams. It is not going to be very different and I am pretty confident about executing my skill tomorrow," said the Chennai-born bowler.

One of the two unbeaten teams in the showpiece event along with New Zealand, India are likely to qualify for the quarter-finals. But Ashwin stressed on taking it one game at a time.

“There are three games left and Ireland has also played good cricket. We are pretty aware of what is happening around us in the group. It's very important that we take it one game at a time. It is not just even going into the quarters and semis. We like to treat every game like it is a knockout game so that it propels us in a good state," concluded the offie.

India will be play their last group stage match in Australia on Friday after which they travel to play Zimbabwe and Ireland in New Zealand.