In the upcoming Adelaide Test India’s bowlers will be eager to step up and deliver a performance to remember, even without their most seasoned spinner leading the charge
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is once again at an impasse with India and Australia preparing for the second Test under the lights of Adelaide. For India, Adelaide is more than just another Test venue; it is a platform where moments of success and agony have been written into cricketing history.
As cricket enthusiasts reflect on India’s remarkable comeback during the 2020-21 series, following their historic collapse of 36 all out at this venue, one player stands out for a different reason—Ravichandran Ashwin. India’s very own Ash Anna delivered one of his most memorable performances here in 2018, taking six wickets across two innings in a low-scoring thriller. With Washington Sundar serving as India’s sole spinner in the first Test at Melbourne, there are concerns about whether Ashwin’s heroics in Adelaide can inspire another Test win for India.
Ashwin with the breakthrough after lunch and SMarsh has to go.
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 7, 2018
Live coverage HERE: https://t.co/lTUqyqRMzW #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/BYFnZKoDWn
In the 2018 Adelaide Test, the first test of BGT, Ashwin flipped the game on its head with a magnificent show of control and finesse. His figures—3/57 in the first innings and 3/92 in the second—may appear small on paper, but they had a huge impact.
Tea in Adelaide! ☕️
— ICC (@ICC) December 7, 2018
Australia head in at 117/4, trailing by 133 runs, with Peter Handscomb and Travis Head in the middle after Ashwin claimed his third wicket.#AUSvIND LIVE
➡️ https://t.co/sCMk42Mboc pic.twitter.com/xwOOoattMI
Ashwin’s off-spin ripped through Australia’s top order in the first innings. He enticed Marcus Harris into an edge, duped Usman Khawaja with precise drift, and then cleaned up Shaun Marsh with a ripper. He bowled 34 overs with an economy rate of 1.67, putting the Australians under continual strain and pushing them to take shots they would rather avoid.
The second inning was a struggle of patience. Ashwin bowled 52.5 overs, taking every bit of bounce and spin from the Adelaide ground. His removal of Aaron Finch, caught behind with a deceptive floater, was a typical Ashwin trap. He then removed the dangerous Khawaja again before clinching victory by bowling Josh Hazlewood with a sharp turner to the slip cordon.
India’s tenacity paid off with a dramatic 31-run victory, putting them ahead in the series. This was their first Test victory in Australia since 2008, a moment of euphoria that set the tone for their historic series success.
Credit: @Babloothakur555
Adelaide brings out the best in Ashwin. In three Tests at this venue, he has taken 16 wickets, only behind of Nathan Lyon in BGT, at an average of 30.43, an impressive performance in the land of pace-kings like Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath. The pink ball, known for skidding under lights, can challenge spinners. However, if he makes the first XI, Ashwin’s skill consistently demonstrates his ability to adapt to any situation.
Ashwin’s brilliance is not limited to one field. With an incredible 189 dismissals, he is the top wicket-taker in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC). His greatest stats of 7/71 demonstrate his ability to seize the spotlight when it counts most.
In the opening Test, India preferred to play only one spinner, Washington Sundar, sparking discussion. While Sundar provides an all-around package, Ashwin’s expertise and flair for plucking vital wickets may be invaluable on a surface that promises to test batters as the game goes on.
Ashwin’s sharp cricketing mind and game-changing abilities make him a valuable player, especially on a favoured pitch. However, with India likely to choose Washington Sundar as their only spinner, Ashwin’s influence may be more spiritual than physical.
