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On Day 2 of the ongoing first Test between Australia and India, the hosts received a major blow when their premier batsman Steve Smith was outdone by Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin for 1 run.
It all happened on the final ball of the 27th over of Australia’s first innings when Smith was caught on the crease as Ashwin’s superb delivery opened up in his defence. The red-leather carried a thick edge and flew straight to slip, where Ajinkya Rahane did the rest and completed the catch.
Here is the video:
Ravi Ashwin is a master of subtle variation – good enough for steve smith – #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/b08nl2sFqQ
— simon hughes (@theanalyst) December 18, 2020
Ashwin strikes twice to trouble Australia
Ashwin continued his momentum after sending Smith back to the pavilion. In the 35th over of the innings, the offie bowled a bit slower delivery to Travis Head. The left-handed batsman tried working it through the on-side, anticipating the drift on the ball, but it straightened and took the leading edge to fly back to Ashwin for a simple catch.
Straight back to Ashwin for a simple catch 😳
Travis Head goes cheaply and Australia in strife #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/bOG0GSbQL6
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 18, 2020
Earlier, the Aussie quicks cleaned up India’s tail in quick time, with the visitors adding just 11 to their overnight score.
Mitchell Starc finished with figures of 4-53, while Pat Cummins bagged 3 for 48. As a result, India were bundled out for 244.
However, when the home team came to bat, not everything went in their favour. New-look openers Joe Burns and Matthew Wade were adjudged leg before wicket by fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.
Meanwhile, Marnus Labuschagne was dropped for as many as three times by Indian fielders. After the end of 38 overs, Australia have posted 71/4 on the board with Labuschagne batting on 42 and Cameron Green on 5.
