Ravichandran Ashwin on 11th February became the star performer against Australia in Nagpur Test. Australia collapsed for mere 91 runs in second innings and India won by an innings & 132 runs. This shocked even most loyal supporters of Australia and Ravichandra Ashwin took 5 wickets for 37 runs. He took David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Matt Renshaw, Peter Handscomb, Alex Carey wickets and Australia could not recover. Ravichandra Ashwin bowled with new ball and very early made it clear that India is in the game to win it.
Australia collapsed in a session because of him and Ravindra Jadeja. The left arm spinner took 5/47 in first innings and 2/34 in second innings. He also scored 70 runs in the Indian innings of 400. Hence, he won Player of the Match and Axar Patel (84) helped him. Ravichandra Ashwin in the first innings too 3/42 and proved his supremacy at home. He equalled Anil Kumble record for 25 5-for in an innings at Home, in India. Muthiah Muralidaran (45) and Rangana Herath (26) have taken more than Ravichandra Ashwin at home.
Todd Murphy (7/124) made an exceptional debut for Australia against India. But Nathan Lyon did not have much effect. Ravichandran Ashwin with 3066 runs and 5 centuries in Tests along with 457 wickets proved his all-round abilities. Ravindra Jadeja with 2593 runs and 249 wickets is close second to Ravichandra Ashwin as an all-time great all-rounder for India in Tests. Well, we need to be feeling blessed to have witnessed Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh kind of bowlers and then these two great all-rounders taking Test cricket in India to new heights.
Ranji Trophy 2022/23: Bengal and Saurashtra reach final!
