Ashwin might have not been the most likely bowler to take wickets at Centurion but he ended up picking 4 in the first innings. Ravichandran Ashwin was the pick of Indian bowlers as South Africa was all out on 335.
While the Centurion wicket was being described as the one with more pace and bounce, it was expected that pacers would steal the show. But pacers were cold as only Ishant Sharma among the Indian pacers was among wickets.
While Ishant Sharma picked 3 wickets, Shami got just one and Jasprit Bumrah remained wicketless. While the pacers were dominated in the first test, at Centurion Ravichandran Ashwin stole their glory.
Great Spell From Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin continues to be one of the most vital assets for India in the longest format of the game. In the first innings Ashwin ended with figures of 4 for 113 runs. Ashwin bowled the most overs for India as he bowled a total of 39 overs with one ball to spare. Ishant Sharma having bowled 22 overs, bowled the most overs among the Indian pacers.
In South Africa the spinners were the underdogs as the pitches assist pace and bounce. Hence India has only played one spinner in both the tests. In the second innings at Cape Town when the Proteas were all out for just 130, Ashwin had no wicket. In fact in that innings Ravichandran Ashwin bowled just one over as the pacers unleashed a havoc.
But at Centurion it was all about a Ravichandran Ashwin show as he scalped 4 wickets. In response of South Africa’s 335, India lost KL Rahul and Cheteshwar Pujara early.
Here are some twitter reactions:
https://twitter.com/Mathanmahe777/status/952480752066686976
#Ashwin has got 4 wicket and would take a few more in the next innings, won’t be surprised if kohli drops him for the 3rd test #SAvIND
— Kaapi?? (@KappiDecoction) January 14, 2018
From 235/3 to bowling #SA all out at 335, Team India has created a very good chance for itself. If they win from here, they will be 1st Asian team to win at #Centurion.#SAvIND #Cricket #Ishant #Ashwin
— Aamir Sohail (@muntazir_e_ilm) January 14, 2018
https://twitter.com/Karthiik_offl/status/952479299168120832
#Ashwin 4 wickets !! The way he bowled..he deserves 5 wicket haul 👍
Ishant 3 wickets ! Superb spell👌
— Dr Rajkumar (@I_Raj13) January 14, 2018
#Ashwin should have at least had five wickets…. Poor catching #SAvIND #INDvSA
— Kaapi?? (@KappiDecoction) January 14, 2018
Dear ashwin, trust yourself to take wickets, captain and his men have other thoughts #Ashwin #IndvsSA #FreedomTrophy #HTOpinion
— Antara Gupta (@ItzAntara) January 14, 2018
