The veteran Indian spinner, R Ashwin was the leading wicket-taker in the 2023 four-match Test series between India and Australia, with 25 wickets in four games. He was also the player of the series, alongside Ravindra Jadeja, who took 22 wickets. The duo has been a constant thorn for the visiting sides to India over the past decade. The latest addition to the Indian spin club, Axar Patel, has only upped the ante for the opposition batters in India.
Axar touched the milestone of 50 Test wickets on Monday as he cleaned up Travis Head with beauty. However, with the trio unable to remove Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne in the final session, India captain Rohit Sharma looked to other alternatives.
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Cheteshwar Pujara for one was seen bowling leg-spinners and it induced a humorous response from Ashwin on social media after the Test ended in a draw. “Main kya karu? Job chod du?” The off-spinner took one right out of the memes book, a reference translating to “What should I do? Leave my job?”.
Main kya karu? Job chod du? 😂 pic.twitter.com/R0mJqnALJ6
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) March 13, 2023
The India number three would retort to the off-spinner’s tweet, “Nahi. This was just to say thank you for going 1 down in Nagpur.” R Ashwin though would have the final word in the exchange, “Your intent is appreciated but wonder how this is a payback.”
Your intent is appreciated but wonder how this is a payback😂😂 https://t.co/xkFxLHryLv
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) March 13, 2023
While Cheteshwar Pujara bowled an over during Australia’s second innings, India opener Shubman Gill, who scored a century earlier in the game, was also handed the red ball for an over and a ball before the two captains decided to shake hands.
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On day five, Australia resumed their innings with all wickets intact but quickly lost nightwatchman Matthew Kuhnemann to Ashwin. Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne scored the fifties before Axar turned one between Head’s bat and pad to affect the top of the off stump.
Steve Smith then combined alongside Labuschagne to see through the game for Australia. India clinched the series with a 2-1 margin owing to their wins in Nagpur and Delhi earlier in the series.
