Ravichandran Ashwin has become mainstay right-hand finger spinner for India after Harbhajan Singh. He and Ravindra Jadeja have formed a formidable spin attack after Anil Kumble – Harbhajan Singh combination. Ravindra Jadeja is closing in on 250 Test Wickets with 5 in the first innings against Australia in Nagpur Test, as part of India vs Australia Test Series. Ravichandran Ashwin has crossed 450 wickets landmark in the same innings by taking 2 wickets. Both of them, came into their own in the post lunch session dismissing 6 wickets quickly for India against Australia. Ravichandran Ashwin started off late in the morning session but Australian batsmen went after him.
Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith have been curtailed by Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel with their tight lines in the morning session. But they went after Ravichandran Ashwin, trying to unsettle him. Earlier in the morning, Australia won the toss and elected to bat first on a spin-friendly pitch. They dropped ICC No.4 Test ranked batsman Travis Head for Matt Renshaw. They added Todd Murphy, off-spinner to assist Nathan Lyon, the GOAT off-spinner for Australia. Scott Boland and Pat Cummins are playing the pace bowlers role. Many are shocked that Australia dropped Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc for Scott Boland, as well. Ravichandra Ashwin sent back Alex Carey (36) and Pat Cummins (6) and Alex Carey has become his 450th scalp.
Matt Renshaw has been preferred over Travis Head, as he is better at playing spin and Peter Handscomb also found a place for same reason. Renshaw got out for first ball against Ravindra Jadeja. Australia lost their openers for 2 runs on the board. Marnus Labuschagne (49) and Steve Smith (37) took Australia to lunch with 76/2 on board from 2/2. Post lunch, Ravindra Jadeja sent both of them back ending their 82-run partnership. He got Matt Renshaw and Todd Murphy out for ducks. Ravichandran Ashwin sent back dangerous Alex Carey who scored 36 runs off 33 balls.
Australia by Tea are at 174/8. Ravindra Jadeja post Tea got Peter Handscomb (31) and got 5/47, on his return to Test Cricket post injury break. India dropped Shubman Gill and are going with KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma, as openers. Suryakumar Yadav and Wicket-keeper KS Bharat are debuting for India, in this Test. Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed Scott Boland (1) and ended with 3/42 figures. Australia are bowled out for 177 in 63.4 overs. India, if get a good start can get an unassailable lead to put Australia in trouble on a spin-friendly pitch!
India hopes to clean sweep against a spirited Australia in Test Series!
