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IND vs AUS: Ravi Ashwin spins his web to hand Australia a demoralising defeat

image-ldzp3eztRavichandran Ashwin [Source: AP]

As if exhausting the visiting bowlers in the scorching heat wasn't enough, hosts India crushed Australia further, handing them a demoralising defeat in the post-lunch session of the third day of the Nagpur Test. 


How the battle panned out? 

image-ldzp6oyzAshwin ran through the Australian batting lineup [source: AP]

After conceding a mammoth 223-run lead in the first innings, Australia began their second innings on a disastrous note, losing Usman Khawaja cheaply in the second over. 

Despite resisting for a while, Marnus Labuschagne and David Warner were eventually victimised by the incredible guile of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravi Ashwin, respectively. 

These two batters' departure opened the floodgates for the Aussies, as the collapse engulfed Matt Renshaw, Peter Handscomb and Alex Carey - all bamboozled by Ashwin's bowling excellence. 

Rubbing salt in Australia's wounds, Jadeja oozed his class at the other end, removing Pat Cummins, who looked clueless during his 13-ball stay. 

Todd Murphy and Nathan Lyon could face only 35 deliveries collectively before making their ways back to the dugout for 2 and 8, respectively. 

The visitors were so miserable with the bat that even the legendary Steve Smith looked helpless at one end, watching his teammates biting the dust one after the other. 

Soon, Mohammed Shami completed the formalities to put an end to Australia's miseries, dismissing Scott Boland in the 33rd over. 


Talking points

  • Rohit Sharma's decision to use Ravichandran Ashwin with the new ball proved to be a masterstroke, as the legendary tweaker dismantled Australia right from the beginning. India, who allowed Smith and Labuschagne to set by introducing Ashwin late in the first innings, didn't commit the same mistake this time. 
  • With this game done and dusted, it's time for the visitors to move on. The rest of the batters should understand that only Smith and Labuschagne can't win them games in India, and therefore, they must step up in the next game in Delhi. 
  • More than the second innings, their performance in the first innings costed Australia the game. They even got the toss advantage and the best batting conditions, but fell flat because of poor execution. 


Brief Scores

Australia (2nd innings): 91 all out
Steve Smith 25* (51), Marnus Labuschagne 17 (28);
R Ashwin 5/37, Mohammed Shami 2/13

India win by an innings and 132 runs.