Team India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin struck in his very first over removing the dangerous Steve Smith to bring India back in the first Test against Australia in Adelaide. After missing a couple, Ajinkya Rahane finally managed to hang on to one of the catch. In reply to India’s 244, Australia are currently reeling at 45 for three with an uphill task at hand to take a crucial first innings lead.
Australian openers – Matthew Wade and Joe Burns frustrated the Indian bowlers, who were also short of their target. They failed to make the batters play as the host easily got away with the new ball. Wade was looking to free his arms right before Jasprit Bumrah caught him plumb in front of the wicket. They went for the review which showed three reds to confirm the umpire’s decision.
Ravichandran Ashwin strikes early
Joe Burns also followed the pack soon after but since then, India struggled due to their awful fielding. They dropped Marnus Labuschagne thrice – twice before dinner thanks to Wriddhiman Saha and once after the break courtesy Prithvi Shaw, who is having a poor outing in this contest. But finally, India managed to hang on to one to get Steve Smith out for one.
Also Read: Marnus Labuschagne Survives As Jasprit Bumrah Drops Him At The Boundary
Smith was expecting the off-break, but Ravichandran Ashwin pushed this through and was the straighter one. Steve Smith was caught on the crease and opened up in his defence. It found the thick edge and flew straight to slip to Ajinkya Rahane and India celebrate big to get the big man cheaply.
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Ravi Ashwin is a master of subtle variation – good enough for steve smith – #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/b08nl2sFqQ
— simon hughes (@theanalyst) December 18, 2020
Also Read: Watch – Marnus Labuschagne Imitates Steve Smith In Adelaide
Earlier in the day, India failed to put up a partnership starting at 233 for six with Ravichandran Ashwin and Wriddhiman Saha in the middle. After Pat Cummins forced an error off the third ball of the day, Saha was India’s only hope and he got out the first ball chasing a wide seed from Mitchell Starc. The rest was a mere formality as the visitors were bundled out for 244.
