In the second ODI against India on September 24, Australian opener David Warner decided to change his batting stance when facing Ravichandran Ashwin. Warner made this adjustment because he noticed that the Indian off-spinner was consistently getting turn and moving the ball away from him.
Additionally, the pressure of the required scoring rate, which was over 11 runs per over at that point, influenced his decision. India had set a massive total of 399/5 in the first innings, but due to rain, the match was reduced to 33 overs per side according to the DLS method, with Australia needing to chase 317.
In the 13th over of the chase, Warner surprised everyone by switching to a right-handed stance just as Ashwin was about to bowl. He managed to hit a four with a sweep shot on the first ball. However, Ashwin ultimately got the better of Warner, dismissing him via LBW in the next over. Notably, replays suggested that there might have been an inside edge before the ball hit the pads, but Warner chose not to take a DRS review.
Watch the Video Here:
Two wickets in an over for @ashwinravi99 💪💪
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 24, 2023
David Warner and Josh Inglis are given out LBW!
Live – https://t.co/OeTiga5wzy… #INDvAUS @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/z62CFHTgq1
This wasn’t the first time Warner batted right-handed against Ashwin, as fans recalled a similar instance from a Champions League match between New South Wales and Chennai Super Kings 12 years ago. Meanwhile, former Indian opener Aakash Chopra expressed concern about the reunion of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in the series against Australia, noting that they were separated in 2017 due to their inability to take wickets in the middle overs.
#INDvAUS #INDvsAUS
— 👌⭐ 👑 (@superking1816) September 24, 2023
David Warner vs Ashwin
12years ago 2023 pic.twitter.com/Gmaz7CulB6
Aakash Chopra Said: “My only concern is Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin bowling in tandem doesn’t work. If it was working, the team wouldn’t have looked in a different direction many years back.”
“India moved away from the duo since they needed spinners who take wickets in the middle overs. Suddenly, you leave that trajectory and move in a different direction. The purpose of the change is then defeated. You need wickets in the middle overs. Australia were ordinary with the bat, but we need more wickets in the middle overs.”
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.