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It was the Ravichandran Ashwin show on Day 1 of the second Test match between India and Australia in New Delhi on Friday as the veteran spinner took the wickets of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne in the span of just three deliveries. The Aussie duo looked set at the crease but two brilliant deliveries from Ashwin brought India back into the encounter. Labuschagne was the first to depart as he was trapped LBW by a delivery that did not spin and crashed straight into his pads. Three balls later, Smith was foxed by a spinning delivery as he ended up edging the ball straight to KS Bharat behind the stumps.
Two wickets in the single over for Ravi Ashwin – No.1 and No 2 Ranked batters! pic.twitter.com/7Dq3xJFo6p
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 17, 2023
Usman Khawaja made a compact fifty but Ravichandran Ashwin’s twin strike gave India the upper hand as Australia were pegged back at 94 for 3 at lunch on the opening day of the second Test.
Ashwin (2/29 in 10 overs) removed Marnus Labuschagne (18) and Steve Smith (0) in quick succession despite Khawaja’s well compiled knock that had eight fours and a six over extra cover off the senior off-spinner.
This was after Khawaja and David Warner (15) added 50 runs for the opening stand as the visiting team gave a better account of themselves after skipper Pat Cummins opted to bat first.
While Khawaja was more assertive with his footwork and started with a square driven boundary, Warner struggled a lot during the first hour.
In fact, the Kotla strip aided better bounce and carry with Mohammed Siraj (0/14 in 6 overs) bowling a brisk first spell.
While Mohammed Shami (1/31 in 6 overs) erred in length during his first three-over spell from the Old Pavilion End, Siraj bowled quick and hurried both Warner and Khawaja with pace and bounce.
Warner’s slowed down reflexes cause him trouble with Siraj rattling him with quick deliveries. Warner got hit on the elbow, which required medical attention and then on the head, which required on-field concussion test.
Having been softened up by Siraj, skipper Rohit Sharma changed Shami’s end and brought him from the Delhi Gate side.
Having pushed him on the backfoot, Shami went wide of the crease and angled one in, forcing Warner to jab at it and the regulation catch was accepted by keeper Kona Bharat.
Khawaja, however, started using his feet against Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja (0/11 in 3 overs) and collected a few boundaries but it was Labuschagne, who got an off-break from Ashwin that beat him and DRS went in favour of India.
In case of Smith, full credit to keeper Bharat’s reflexes and technique as he kept a low centre of gravity and nick was collected inches off the ground to unsettle Australia who had good first 90 minutes before losing track.
(With PTI inputs)
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