Ravichandran Ashwin has been Australia’s nemesis. In Tests, the off-spinner has forced Australia to rethink strategies at their own backyard as well as India. And in ODIs too, Ashwin continues to make Aussie heads turn. In just a span of seven deliveries, Ashwin scalped David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne with a carrom ball and Josh Inglis in IND vs AUS 2nd ODI in Indore. Now with that super show, Ravichandran Ashwin will definitely force Rahul Dravid to rethink bowling combination ahead of World Cup squad final submission on Sep 28.
Ashwin vs Warner:
David Warner did try his best to counter Ashwin threat. But it is the Indian veteran off-spinner who wins the Ashwin vs Warner battle. Warner switched his stance completely and batted right-handed against Ashwin. He even hit him for a 4.
However, the off-spinner had the last laugh. As one of his deliveries kept low, Warner was trapped leg-before. But Warner won’t be happy with the dismissal.
David Warner can definitely claim a moral victory as the delivery that dismissed him took a slight deflection off the bat before striking the pad. The on-field umpire gave him out and Warner walked back without taking a review.
World Cup bid
The veteran was brought back in India squad after 610 days ahead of World Cup. The last time he played an ODI before the Australia series was in January 2022 against South Africa. With Axar Patel injured, the IND vs AUS three-match series was Ashwin’s trial by fire.
After lukewarm returns from the 1st ODI, he finally let the ball talk. He kept the Australian batters guessing with his turners. And as he came to bowl after the rain break, he turned into the nemesis for Australians as he was always known. While he was expensive in his second spell, he still managed to get three wickets for 41 runs in 7 overs.
With September 28 deadline and Axar Patel still injured, Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma will be intrigued by his performance.
Will he be a surprise inclusion in India’s World Cup squad?
