Pithiya wants to shed ‘duplicate Ashwin’ tag: ‘After him, if there’s anyone, it’s me’

Baroda off-spinner Mahesh Pithiya is aiming to move past his reputation as an R Ashwin impersonator and target a spot in the Indian Test team. The 24-year-old recently claimed his 100th First-Class wicket in his 25th match, taking a nine-wicket match haul against Goa in the Ranji Trophy season opener. Pithiya expressed his ambition to face Australia in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series rather than merely bowling to them as a net bowler.

Since the 2023-24 season, Pithiya has taken 95 First-Class wickets, ranking second among Indian off-spinners behind Jalaj Saxena. Despite missing out on Duleep Trophy selection due to Baroda's recent knockout absences, Pithiya has been monitored by national selectors and attended camps at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence, working alongside former spinners Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh.