In the world of cricket, there are few sights as mesmerizing as a top-quality spinner in full flight. Watching the ball leave the bowler’s hand, only to dip, spin, and deceive the batsman in ways they couldn’t anticipate, is a true joy for fans of the game. And in the recent Test series between India and Australia, one bowler put on a spellbinding display of spin bowling that will be talked about for years to come.
That bowler is Ravichandran Ashwin, the seasoned off-spinner from Chennai, India. Throughout the series, Ashwin had been a consistent performer for the Indian team, taking key wickets and keeping the scoring rate under control. But in the second innings of the fourth Test, he produced a spell that will be etched in the annals of cricketing history.
Australia had been set a daunting target of 328 to win the Test and level the series. With their top order struggling against the Indian bowling attack, the onus was on their middle order to mount a fightback. But Ashwin had other ideas.
Coming on to bowl in the 24th over of the innings, Ashwin immediately found his rhythm. He landed the ball on a dime, getting it to dip and spin in both directions. His variations in pace and trajectory made it almost impossible for the batsmen to pick him, and he regularly beat their outside edges.
But it was in the 32nd over that Ashwin truly came into his own. With Australia’s best batsman, Steve Smith, at the crease, Ashwin bowled a delivery that will be replayed countless times in the years to come. The ball drifted in from around the wicket, pitching on middle stump and turning sharply away from Smith’s bat. The batsman, anticipating turn into him, played for the spin and edged the ball to the Indian captain Ajinkya Rahane at first slip.
It was a moment of pure artistry, as Ashwin had set Smith up beautifully. By bowling around the wicket and landing the ball on the same spot multiple times, he had created doubt in Smith’s mind about which way the ball would spin. And when he finally got one to turn away, Smith was caught off guard.
But Ashwin wasn’t done yet. He continued to bamboozle the Australian batsmen with his wizardry, taking the wickets of Matthew Wade, Tim Paine, and Pat Cummins in quick succession. He finished with figures of 4 for 55 in the innings, and 12 for 98 in the match – his best figures in Test cricket outside of Asia.
It was a spell for the ages, one that showcased the artistry and attrition that make spin bowling such a captivating aspect of the game. Ashwin’s ability to deceive the batsmen with subtle variations in spin and trajectory, and his control over line and length, were a joy to behold. And for fans of Indian cricket, it was a moment of pride to see one of their own produce such a masterful display on the world stage.
As the dust settles on the series, and the memories of this spell begin to fade, one thing is certain – Ravichandran Ashwin’s name will go down in the history books as one of the greatest spin bowlers of all time.
નીચે આપેલી લીંક પર ક્લિક કરીને જોડાઓ સ્વસ્તિકસાપ્તાહિક/SNNews સાથે.
