On Day 2 of the ongoing second Test between India and England at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin showed who is the real boss in spinning conditions. The maestro completely rattled England batting unit and picked up another fifer in the series. Ashwin had taken a five-wicket haul in the previous Test as well which the visitors had won by 227 runs.
During his scintillating display of spin bowling, Ashwin produced an absolute peach of a delivery to get rid of English all-rounder Ben Stokes.
It all happened in the 24th over of England’s first innings when Ashwin came round the wicket and bowled a full delivery to Stokes. The southpaw looked to whip the ball with the angle but the red-leather exploded off the pitch and ended up knocking the off-stump of Stokes.
Here is the video:
//twitter.com/cxn_amir/status/1360848110809796611
The dismissal of Stokes also helped Ashwin to go past Harbhajan Singh on the🥂 list of most wickets on home soil. The Tamil Nadu spinner is now only behind Anil Kumble, who took 350 scalps in home conditions.
The 34-year-old Tamil Nadu spinner further registered his 29th five-wicket haul in the longest format, equalling former Australian paceman Glenn McGrath on the all-time list.
In reply to India’s 329, England were bowled out for 134 in 59.5 overs in their first innings. Wicketkeeper-batsman Ben Foakes was th🐠e top-scorer for the visitors with unbeaten 42 off 107 deliveries.
For the hosts, Ashwin bagged five wickets for 43 runs while Ishant Sharma (2/22) and Axar Patel (2/40) picked up two scalps each. Pacer Mohammed Siraj only bowled five overs on Day 2 and took one wicket of Ollie Pope.
At stumps on the second day, India made 54/1 with Rohit Sharma (25 no) and Cheteshwar Pujara (14 no) at the crease. The home side 🔯is currently leading England by 24✅9 runs.
