R Ashwin sheds light on India's emphatic win in Nagpur
Ashwin picked up a fifer in second innings [Associated Press]
The result of the first Test between India and Australia didn't really surprise anyone. As expected, India hammered the visitors by an innings and 132 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
It was a complete team performance as the home team hardly put a foot wrong and dismantled the visitors with utmost ease.
Ravichandran Ashwin, was one of the stars of this victory. The wily spinner contributed with both bat and the ball, and it was his five-wicket haul in the second innings that changed the course of the match.
Speaking to the broadcasters after the game, Ashwin said:
"Firstly, I am happy for the batters who dug deep and batted long enough to keep them for more overs on the field. We batted well. And then, once the first wicket fell very early, I was in the game with full rhythm. I wanted to get out there and bat. I was suffocated sitting inside the dressing room for hours and hours. And I asked Pujara whether he wanted a cover through a nightwatchman, and he said yes with 20 minutes left in the day,"
He also talked about the challenges of bowling on this track
"The wicket was on the slower side. So you want them to be driving. Hence I bowled on full-lengths. I was challenging the outside edge and, at the same time, the change-ups, challenging the other half of the edge as well. I have many variations but didn't try much here."
Australia will be disappointed with how things panned out for them, and will be looking to bounce back in the next Test match in Delhi. Potentially they'll have Travis Head, Cameron Green, and Josh Hazlewood back in the scheme of things, which'll boost their chances.
 "Anurag Dasgupta")
