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Ravichandran Ashwin Traps Tom Latham With A Chess Move In The 2nd Test At Pune

Tom Latham was dismissed by Ravichandran Ashwin [Source: screengrab from @@JioCinema/x.com]Tom Latham was dismissed by Ravichandran Ashwin [Source: screengrab from @@JioCinema/x.com]

India is playing against New Zealand in the second Test of the three-match series at the MCA Cricket Stadium in Pune. The New Zealand team's skipper, Tom Latham, won the toss and opted to bat first. 

After a convincing win in the first match, New Zealand came into this game confidently to win the match and seal the series. They needed a solid start from their two openers, Devon Conway and Tom Latham. The two left-handed batters made a steady star, and it looked like they would build a good platform for the team.

New Zealand Got A Steady Start

With New Zealand stationed at 30/0 from seven over, Rohit Sharma introduced his most experienced bowler, Ravichandran Ashwin, into the attack. The veteran off-spinner delivered by picking up the wicket of Tom Latham in the first over.

The Set Up And The Blow By Ashwin

The spinner set up the batter throughout the over and then delivered the final blow on the last ball. The first five deliveries by Ashwin were mostly bowled around the middle and leg stump line and carried on with the angle. 

On the last delivery of the over, Ashwin drew Latham forward with a slightly slower and tossed-up delivery. The ball drifted towards the leg stump and then turned away from the batter after pitching. Latham was looking to defend the ball off the front foot; however, he was beaten by the turn and wrapped on the pads in front of the stumps. 

The wicket from Ashwin was a perfect example of his thought process in a game. The way he trapped the batter was a perfect example of a grandmaster playing chess and catching the opponent off guard with a sly move.