Cricket

'Anna - Smith, a never-ending love story' - Ravichandran Ashwin dismisses Steven Smith in both innings of Delhi Test in BGT '23

Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed Steve Smith in both innings of the ongoing second Test of BGT '23 at Delhi. Here's how fans reacted.

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Daniel S
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Ravichandran Ashwin completes double over Steve Smith

Ravichandran Ashwin completes double over Steve Smith (Source: Twitter)

Australia may have prepared specifically to face Ravichandran Ashwin's off-break deliveries, but it has not worked. Ashwin has consistently picked up wickets in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series. Key Australia batter Steven Smith fell twice to Ashwin in the second Test of the BGT in Delhi. It looks like Ashwin's duplicate 'Mahesh Pithiya', flown in specifically to be a net bowler in the Australian training camp, has not done his job well.

In the first innings, Smith got out for a duck in the second delivery that he faced. Ashwin picked up a nick, and a sharp catch taken by KS Bharat operating the gloves left the dangerous batter with just the pavilion's way to go. He couldn't reach double figures in the second innings as well. This time Ashwin didn't need the help of any outfield player as he caught the star Aussie batter leg before.

Ravichandran Ashwin also contributed with the bat

Australia were bundled out for 263 in the match's first innings, with Mohammed Shami taking four wickets. At the same time, India's spin twins Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin returned with three scalps each. In reply, India could manage 262 conceding a single run's first innings lead. Ravichandran Ashwin (37 off 71) and Axar Patel's (74 off 115) century partnership for the eighth wicket rescued the Indian innings as the hosts struggled at 139-7 at a point in the game. Australia ended Day 2 at 61-1, setting up a critical Day 3 on Sunday.

Notably, the ongoing BGT series against Australia is India's last chance to make it into the finals of the Global Test Championships, to be played at the Oval between June 18 and 23, 2023. Moreover, the hosts are eyeing a third-straight Test series win against the men from down under, having won the last two BGT series in Australia. Therefore, the ongoing series holds special importance for the hosts.

Here's how fans reacted to Ashwin's double against Steven Smith: 

India vs Australia 2023 Featured India Australia Ravichandran Ashwin IND vs AUS Steven Smith