On Day 1 of the second Test match between India and Australia in New Delhi, Ravichandran Ashwin made headlines once more, but this time it was because of an odd celebration. As the Indian cricketers celebrated the dismissal of Nathan Lyon for 10, Ashwin pulled Mohammed Shami‘s ears.
The move caught Shami off guard, but they both laughed when it was over. Sunil Gavaskar, a veteran in Indian cricket, joined in on the fun by saying during the commentary: “I think if you ask Ashwin a bit later, he will say that he was practising another kind of delivery.”
Here is the moment between Mohammed Shami and Ravichandran Ashwin
Naughty #Ashwin pulling Shami ears…#INDvAUS #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/CKpOkj4uP1
— BishnuM (@BishnuM12851267) February 17, 2023
With Shami’s excellent variations with the ball and the excellent spin combination of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, India limited Australia to 263 runs. In the innings, the pacer took four wickets, while both spinners took three each.
Usman Khawaja (81 runs in 125 balls) made amends for a poor first-Test performance in Nagpur with an appealing knock, while Peter Handscomb (72 not out in 142 balls) played with grit and determination at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Friday, but their efforts were in vain as the visitors were all out in under 79 overs.
The pitch was a typical slow turner with better carry than the Nagpur wicket, which helped Khawaja hit through the line during his knock of 12 fours and a six.
Despite going wicketless, Mohammed Siraj deserves credit for softening up David Warner, who struggled during his 50-run stand with Khawaja. Two short balls, one on the elbow and the other flush on the helmet, frightened the Australian opener.
The Kangaroos will now try to keep the home team to as low a score as possible. They don’t want to lose the second Test after losing the first in Nagpur. Australia losing this match would mean that India will retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India have won the last three editions of the series in 2017, 2018-19, and 2020-21.
