Mitchell Marsh vs Ashwin-Jadeja: How Will The Clash Affect BGT Opener In Perth

Mitchell Marsh, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja [Source: @vipinverse, @toisports/x.com]

India's toughest challenge in the WTC 2023-25 cycle is coming as they prepare to face Australia in their own backyard. The first Test of the series will be played at the Optus Stadium Perth. 

The Australian team has a brilliant record at the Perth Stadium has they have won all the four Test matches at the venue. On the other hand, India looked dismal in the only Test that they played here and lost it. 

As the match approaches, there will be a lot of small battles that will go a long way in deciding the fate of the match. One such battle will be between Mitchell Marsh and the two prime Indian spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Even though there is a doubt regarding both Ashwin and Jadeja playing together in the game, if they do, it will be crucial for these bowlers to control Marsh. 

The Australian batter is an aggressive player by nature and can change the complexion of a match very quickly with his big-hitting. This is where Ashwin and Jadeja could become important for India in the match. 

Before looking at how this face-off will impact the game let us have a look at Marsh's record against the two bowler.

Mitchell Marsh vs Ravichandran Ashwin In Test

Mitchell Marsh has faced 39 deliveries against Ravichandran Ashwin in Test cricket. In these 39 deliveries, Marsh has scored 20 runs while getting dismissed once. So, this shows us that Marsh looks to play out Ashwin carefully rather than taking the attack to him. This could provide India with the opportunity to create pressure from one end against Marsh by bringing in the off-spinner when he comes into bat.

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Mitchell Marsh vs Ravindra Jadeja In Test

Mitchell Marsh has struggled against Ravindra Jadeja in Test cricket. In the 70 deliveries that Marsh has played against the left-arm spinner, he has scored only 11 runs and has been dismissed four times. This shows that Jadeja has consistently been a thorn in the path of Marsh. 

Conclusion

The Indian team is still deliberating on whether they will play Jadeja in the match. If they do, the captain can use the two bowlers in tandem to create pressure on Mitchell Marsh and in the process the whole Australian middle-order. Given the record of Nathan Lyon on this surface, one can say that the track helps the spinners towards the end of the game and hence India going in with both the spinners could be a good strategy.

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