IND vs AUS: Ashwin, in his decorated career, has played only 10 Test matches Down Under. (AP)
The last time R Ashwin played in the pink-ball Test at Adelaide in 2020, he took four wickets in the first innings, and was instrumental in bowling out Australia for 194. In the aftermath of India’s 36 all out in the second innings, it’s forgotten that India actually took a 43-run lead, courtesy Ashwin.
So, that’s one reason for him playing now. Also considering the return of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, and how well Nitish Reddy held himself with the bat at Perth, there is lesser worries about whether batting will hold up. They feel they don’t need Washington Sundar’s batting ability for this game.
Incidentally, Ashwin has been bowling a lot, and neatly at that, in the nets. There was a lovely drifter he bowled to Reddy, drawing him forward before shaping away, taking the edge.
R Ashwin has taken 16 wickets in three matches at an economy of 2.64 at this venue.
Two days prior to the nets, just near its conclusion, Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma were seen having a long chat. At its conclusion, Gambhir walked towards Ashwin, put his hand over the shoulder, and had a nearly 15-20 minute chat. The next day, Thursday, was an optional net session and Ashwin was among the handful who turned up. And he had a good batting session.
Last time at Adelaide in that first innings, Ashwin had taken out Steve Smith for 1, Travis Head for 7, Cameron Green for 11. Smith was taken out by the drifter, his poke resulting in an edge to the slip. Head fell, trying to work the ball to the on side, but the leading edge meant it went straight back to Ashwin.
“We’ve made three changes. I’m back, Gill is back and Ashwin is back in place of Washy, Padikkal and Jurel,” Rohit Sharma said at the toss.
“I’m batting in the middle order, which is different but I’m ready for the challenge,” he added.
Playing XIs
Australia XI: Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
India XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Lokesh Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana
I’m Manas Ranjan Sahoo: Founder of “Webtirety Software”. I’m a Full-time Software Professional and an aspiring entrepreneur, dedicated to growing this platform as large as possible. I love to Write Blogs on Software, Mobile applications, Web Technology, eCommerce, SEO, and about My experience with Life.
