Ravichandran Ashwin has got it right in the ongoing first Test between India and England. The first match of the five-match Test series between the teams will take place at the Uppal Stadium in Hyderabad.
Ravichandran Ashwin has ensured India stay on top of the game after a shaky first hour. He was the first to draw blood for his team and he hasn’t looked back since. The spinner has woven a net around the batsmen and asked them some tough questions.
Ravichandran Ashwin was also in play in the third session of the day. The off-spinner sent Mark Wood packing with a sensational delivery. The batsman had no idea what was coming from the bowlers and he ended up seeing his stumps break and he had to take a long walk back to the pavilion.
During the third ball of the 62nd over, Ravichandran Ashwin bowled a slow delivery in the air. Mark Wood bent down and tried to sweep with difficulty. He completely missed the ball when he went over his inside edge to dislodge the off-stump. The ball went in and then went away to leave the batter clueless.
Mark Wood attempted to forge a crucial partnership with Ben Stokes but was unable to continue. He scored 11 runs off 24 balls and his wicket left the team reeling at 234/9. After his wicket, captain Stokes hit some hard knocks and counter-attacked the bowlers, ensuring England got something competitive on the board.
Ben Stokes scored a magnificent half-century but his stay at the crease was cut short by Jasprit Bumrah’s brilliance. The fast bowler bowled a delivery that leaned in and swung sharply away from a length.
Ben Stokes came down the court and moved to the side in the process. He was hit widely on the outside edge. He didn’t take any shot and the ball hit the off stump. He finished with 70 innings off 88 balls.
England receive 246 runs; Ravichandran Ashwin picks three wickets
England won the toss and opted to bat first. They got off to a fantastic start as Ben Duckett (35) and Zack Crawley (20) put India under immense pressure. The duo added 55 runs for the partnership and made a stirring statement. However, the introduction of the twist caused its downfall.
Ravichandran Ashwin drew first blood for his team when he sent Duckett packing. Before Ravindra Jadeja eliminated Ollie Pope (1). Offside contributed immediately after removing Crawley to leave the visitors reeling at 60/3 in short order.
Joe Root (29) and Jonny Bairstow (37) then added 61 runs for the partnership and brought England back into the game. However, after their wickets, the Indian spinners pounced on the batsmen and removed them in no time, leaving them at 193/8.
Captain Ben Stokes (70) scored a blistering half-century and ensured he took his team to a total of 246 runs. For India, Ravichandran Ashwin was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/68. Apart from him, Ravindra Jadeja also picked three wickets while Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel bagged two scalps each.
Watch: Ravichandran Ashwin Castles scores wood with a Jaffa
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