It was predicted earlier only. However, it became clear as time went on. Batting, bowling, fielding – India beat Australia in all categories. The Nagpur Test ended in just two and a half days. But it is not only for the pitch but also for the Indian spinners who made the batters life hell on the pitch. Rohit Sharma and Co. beat Australia by innings and 132 runs to advance 1-0.
Ashwin gave Australia the first blow in the second innings. He dismissed Usman Khawaja for 5 runs. Virat Kohli caught at slip. The start of the series in India was not good for the Australian cricketer of the year. Ashwin also returned the other opener David Warner for 10 runs.
Like the first innings, the second innings for Australia also got off to a good start by Marnas Labuchagne. But he got out after not understanding a ball from Ravindra Jadeja. Jadeja’s ball hits his pads in front of the wicket. There was no doubt in the umpire’s mind. Ashwin also sent Matthew Renshaw and Peter Handscomb to the dressing room. If Jadeja showed power in the first innings, it was Ashwin’s in the second innings. His off-spin, carom hall, and flipper could not be understood by the Aussie batters. They lost 5 wickets for just 52 runs.
Wicketkeeper Alex Carey relied on sweeps, reverse sweeps from the start. But he too could not last long. Ashwin got out. Ashwin took the 5th wicket in his 10th over. Five of Australia’s first six batsmen were out lbw. It is clear from these statistics, the legs of the Australian batsmen trembled in front of the Indian spin.
Smith- the lone warrior for Australia. The rest crumbled down in front of India
Steve Smith survived on one side. But no batter could accompany him. Jadeja initially took Smith’s wicket at the end when Australia was 88 for 9. But later the third umpire declared it as a no-ball. As a result, the game was yet to be wrapped up. But it was not a problem. In the end, Australia’s innings ended on 91 runs. Bolland was the last man to walk off. Ashwin took 5 wickets, Jadeja 2, Axar 1, and Shami 2 wickets for India.
Earlier, India lost Jadeja’s wicket within a few overs at the start of the third day. It was Todd Murphy who took his wicket. Jadeja tried to leave Murphy’s ball that fell outside the off stump. But the ball did not turn and went straight to the wicket. He got out after 70 runs. After Jadeja’s dismissal, Australia had a chance to finish the Indian innings quickly. But that did not happen. Shami and Axar had other plans.
Shami added 52 runs with Axar, for India. Shami also batted straight on a pitch where the Australian batsmen struggled. Although he played a little slow at the beginning but batted aggressively as time progressed. He hit Australia’s most successful bowler Murphy for two sixes in two consecutive balls. However, Shami got out after scoring 37 runs off 47 balls.
On the other side, Axar was batting pretty well. As long as Shami was there on the crease, Axar maintained his defensive style. But after Shami got out, he increased his strike rate. Axar had a chance today to score a hundred. However, he fell short at 84 after the Aussie skipper pat Cummins bowled him out. However, Axar missing his ton didn’t affect India’s win at all.
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