Australian opener David Warner surprised everyone as he switched his stance to bat like a right-handed batter during IND vs AUS 2nd ODI in Indore. The veteran opener did it to counter Ravichandran Ashwin who enjoys a stunning record against left-handers. The 36-year-old not only played right-handed, he also smashed a brilliant boundary against the off-spinner. However, Ashwin had the last laugh as he got rid of Warner in his next over.
Ashwin vs Warner – A lost battle for Australian opener
While Warner has had outstanding records against spinners, he has struggled against Ravichandran Ashwin in Tests and ODIs. The Australian opener Warner has averaged 21.81 in Tests and 22 in ODIs against the off-spinner. Ashwin has consumed Warner a total of 19 times in all formats – 11 in Tests, 5 in T20s and 3 in ODIs.
Australia on backfoot in high-scoring chase
Notably, Australia were set a revised target of 317 in 33 overs after rain halted the play for the second time. Chasing a mammoth 399, Australia were 56/ 2 when rain stopped play.
David Warner played aggressive cricket after the resumption and scored a crucial half-century. However, Ravichandran Ashwin changed the game in matter of few overs as struck thrice to reduce Australia to 102/5. Earlier, Shreyas Iyer (105) and Shubman Gill (104) scored centuries before Suryakumar Yadav blistering unbeaten 72 powered India to 399 for 5 in 50 overs.
India (Playing XI): Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(c), Ishan Kishan(w), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Prasidh Krishna
Australia (Playing XI): David Warner, Matthew Short, Steven Smith(c), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey(w), Cameron Green, Sean Abbott, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Spencer Johnson
