Ravichandran Ashwin Does It Again- After the fiasco of the first test in Adelaide, the Indian team has made a strong statement as they have come back from that defeat and set the tone for the Australia batters right from the first session in Melbourne. Once again Ravichandran Ashwin showed his mettle after the hosts won the toss and went out to bat.
Although Jaspirit Bumrah got out Joe Burns early, captain Ajinkya Rahane was quick to realize the moisture present on the pitch something which Ashwin can make good use of. Therefore he brought his main spin bowling weapon as early as possible and the 34-year old started doing wonders.
Ravichandran Ashwin-Ajinkya Rahane Both Get The Credit Though
In the Day 1 of the Boxing day Test match, Ashwin picked up two wickets in the first session as he bamboozled Steve Smith for a duck. Smith’s early departure gave India a huge edge in the game and boosted the morale of the bowlers to bundle them out within a low total.
Ravi Ashwin has Steve Smith!
The Aussie departs for a duck ?
As simple as you like… pic.twitter.com/Y7pxOgWSA8
— Cricket on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) December 26, 2020
The way Ashwin got Smith in the first test was a talking point from the match, the offspinner used his slider to great effect and Smith ended up nicking one which led to his downfall. However in this case also the social media has been pouring with reactions after Ashwin gradually set up Smith to deceive him with the wicket-taking delivery. Also, this was the first time Smith was dismissed on a duck against India in tests.
This time India’s plans were different from that of Adelaide as they tried setting up a leg-side trap for the Number 1 batsman in tests currently. Rahane placed a backward short leg and forward short leg and despite guessing the danger Smith fell straight into it. He edged the delivery which was pitched on the leg stump. It popped up and Chesteswar Pujara at backward-short-leg made no mistake to pounce on it.
What The Experts Say And How Things Worked Out Well For Team India?
A lot of experts feel that the Australia star batter was looking to get off the mark. Therefore, he was anxious to push one in the gap and get to the non-striker’s end and hence the mistake happened.
There were explanations on how his compatriot Marnus Labuschagne played some of those deliveries. He shouldered arms averting the danger. It is something that Smith could have fancied and can do even in future. The turning ball has been a chink in his armour clearly from the last two test matches.
What Next For Team India In Australia?
However, this was only Smith’s fifth duck in Test cricket. He has been dismissed by Ashwin for five times now- twice in Australia and thrice in India.
The experienced spinner was brought in on the 11 over. That is when Rahane understood that the moisture on the pitch can be used well by someone like Ashwin. The move paid dividends as the Tamil Nadu spinner struck in his second over. He removed Matthew Wade. It was Bumrah who dismissed Joe Burns and gave India a flying start.
