Ravichandran Ashwin’s magical delivery: The premier Indian off-spinner didn’t take much time to draw first blood in Visakhapatnam.
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During the second day of the first Test of the ongoing South Africa’s tour of India in Visakhapatnam, premier India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin drew first blood as he dismissed South Africa opening batsman Aiden Markram in the third session.
Introduced as the first-change bowler in the fourth over by captain Virat Kohli, Ashwin almost had Markram in his first over itself. While that ball bounced a bit more to go over the stumps, it didn’t happen in the eight over.
On the first ball of the over, Ashwin achieved success in going through Markram’s gate as he deceived the batsman all ends up. Having opened the innings with Dean Elgar, Markram ended up scoring 5 (21) with the help of one four.
Ashwin, who last played for India during the tour of Australia last year, was delighted to pick his first wicket in only his third over. It was vital for the 33-year old bowler to get off to a brilliant start. With the pitch assisting the spinners, expect both him and Jadeja to call the shots in the days to come.
After India captain Virat Kohli won the toss and chose to bat, the hosts posted a brilliant 502/7 dec. in 136 overs. Opening batsmen in Mayank Agarwal (215) and Rohit Sharma (176) had stitched a 317-run partnership to provide a formidable start to their team.
With bowling figures of 55-6-189-3, Maharaj was the pick of the South African bowlers.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s magical delivery to dismiss Aiden Markram:
— Jitender Singh (@j_dhillon7) October 3, 2019
How Twitter reacted:
Ashwin’s delivery to Markram was so calming. I mean you can sleep with a teddy bear and can’t feel this much relaxing. #INDvSA
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) October 3, 2019
Ashwin has started again, Markram was coming from back to back hundreds but the quality of Ash in India is different.
— Johns (@CricCrazyJohns) October 3, 2019
Playing a Test after nearly a year and it takes 2 overs for Ashwin to recreate magic. Still don’t believe he didn’t play in WI. Got to feel for Markram. This kind of bowling is very tough to play. #INDvSA
— Anush Rajagopal Ganesh (@AnushRajagopal) October 3, 2019
R Ashwin makes short work of South Africa’s main hope, Aiden Markram (5 runs), with a trademark delivery. It’s Ashwin’s first game after missing five Tests, has been spot on from the first over. #INDvSA
— Sanjjeev (@Sanjjeev) October 3, 2019
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