In the world of cricket, the perpetual battle between bat and ball often takes the spotlight, and in the second ODI clash between India and Australia, it was the experienced off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin who played a pivotal role in shifting the balance of power. The match, held in Indore, witnessed a dominant batting performance by the Indian team, posting an imposing total of 399/5.
Despite the initial appearance of a batting paradise, Ashwin’s spell in the second innings painted a different picture. With impressive consistency, the crafty off-spinner extracted sharp turn from the pitch, disrupting Australia’s chase with the crucial scalps of three key wickets.
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Yuzvendra Chahal, the Indian wrist spinner, couldn’t help but express his admiration for Ashwin’s mesmerizing performance. Taking to social media, Chahal shared his thoughts on Twitter, saying, “Ravichandran Ashwin name is enough @ashwinravi99 #Legend #INDvsAUS.”
Ravichandran Ashwin name is enough @ashwinravi99 #Legend 🇮🇳 #INDvsAUS
— Yuzvendra Chahal (@yuzi_chahal) September 24, 2023
The selection dilemma faced by the committee was a topic of discussion as they had to choose between the wrist-spinning duo of Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav. Both spin maestros possessed exceptional skills, but with the presence of two spin all-rounders in Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, accommodating two wrist spinners was challenging.
In the end, the selectors opted for Kuldeep, who had showcased remarkable prowess since his return to the Indian ODI setup. Kuldeep’s inclusion not only strengthened the bowling attack but also added depth to the batting lineup.
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Meanwhile, the 33-year-old Chahal found himself on the sidelines, a situation reminiscent of his exclusion from the 2021 T20 World Cup squad. Nevertheless, Chahal’s impressive record in the Indian Premier League underscores his spin wizardry, with an impressive tally of 187 wickets at an average of 21.68 and an economy rate of 7.66, highlighting his undeniable talent in the art of spin bowling.
