'Lacklustre' Ashwin 'lambasted' by Former India Spinner
Ashwin looked lacklustre in the third game [AP Photos]
Australia bounced back stronger and swatted aside India by nine wickets in the third Test, which lasted for three days in Indore on Friday, March 3. With this, they have secured a place in the WTC final.
The third day of the Test was a cakewalk for Australia, as India set them a modest target of 176 runs to win, which they easily chased down in just 18.5 overs with nine wickets to spare.
Although R Ashwin managed to dismiss Usman Khawaja on a two-ball duck on Friday morning, his performance in the following 10 overs was lacklustre. Even Jadeja struggled to break through the partnership.
Shedding light on the same, former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh stated that captain Rohit Sharma didn't utilise his resources well, especially on the third day of the match.
The Punjab-born further reckoned that R Ashwin and Umesh Yadav put India in a strong position by restricting Australia early on Day 2, but India failed to make the most of the it.
Here's what Harbhajan Singh said:
"Absolutely, you never know which bowler bowls such a ball, the one door of opportunity had to be opened, which R Ashwin opened that day (on the second morning) and then Umesh Yadav came and picked up three wickets. Who would have thought Umesh Yadav would pick up three wickets on this pitch but that is what happens."
Speaking on the Day 3 performance of the Indian bowlers, Harbhajan said that Rohit Sharma missed a trick by not rotating the bowlers and allowing Ashwin to bowl for 10 overs, instead of giving the ball to Axar Patel.
“R Ashwin bowled 10 overs. There they should have been given short spells. They could have given four to five overs to R Ashwin, four to five overs to Ravindra Jadeja and you could have got Axar Patel for two to four overs.”
 "Shivani Shukla")
