Australia won’t make 100 runs in the fourth innings: Ravichandran Ashwin recalls sledging opener Matt Renshaw in Bengaluru Test

Over the past four years, India have emerged as one of the most dominant teams in international cricket. Under Virat Kohli’s captaincy, India have trounced many opponents on home soil. However, one series which challenged Virat Kohli and Co was the four-match Test series against Australia.

After losing the first Test in Pune to the Aussies, India were in trouble again in the second Test at Bengaluru after being bowled out for a total below 200. India needed their spin department to rise on the occasion and do the job for the hosts. However, one batsman who was frustrating the Men in Blue was Australia’s opener Matt Renshaw.

The Indian Test duo– Cheteshwar Pujara and Ravichandran Ashwin– discussed moments from that match during an Instagram live session. Ashwin also recalled an incident when he sledged Renshaw during the first innings of the Test.

‘Anil bhai gave me quite a few suggestions’: Ravichandran Ashwin

“I remember one very, very crucial incident in the 1st innings. Nathan Lyon got 8 wickets in the 1st innings. Nathan Lyon was running riot but by the end of the 1st day, it stopped turning. It was damp,” Ashwin said.

“Anil bhai (Kumble) gave me quite a few suggestions. But I told him that we need to be patient as nothing is happening. Anil bhai said ‘yes, yes. I am not putting pressure on you but you have to do it’.

Next day when I was bowling, I started bowling over the stumps to Warner and Renshaw. I remember bowling to Renshaw, a couple of balls went here and there.. to short leg and he had this smirky smile so as to suggest they were on top of the game,” added the off-spinner.

“All of a sudden, I got really angry because I was not getting the wickets and I told him ‘you better not defend and make these runs because if you don’t, 4th innings you guys won’t make 100 runs’. I was angry and said it but it eventually panned out,” expressed Ashwin.

India retaliated back in the second innings of the Bangalore Test and bowled out Aussies in the second innings to clinch the victory. Virat Kohli and Co went on to win the series 2-1 eventually.