We couldn't have asked for anything more: Ravichandran Ashwin

Team India spin ace Ravichandran Ashwin put India in the driver’s seat at the end of the 3rd day’s play in Dharamsala as the hosts require another 87 runs with all 10 wickets in hand to wrap up the series 2-1. The off-spinner was only given a ball after the 22nd over as he has taken the majority of the workload in India’s long home season. He has been the most productive bowler for the home team and yet again seized the opportunity when it mattered the most.

The tweaker first removed Peter Handscomb with a terrific delivery which hit one of the cracks and bounced steeply. It took the outside edge of Handscomb’s bat as Rahane completed a sensational catch at slip. The off-spinner then took the prized scalp of Glenn Maxwell as the hard-hitting right-hander was struck on the pads. It was a close call and the onfield umpire ruled it in favour of the hosts.

He finished with 3 wickets after getting rid of Josh Hazlewood with a straighter delivery. It went on with the arm and struck him adjacent to the stumps. Yet again the finger went up as the Aussies were bowled out for a paltry 137 in their 2nd essay. The Indian openers KL Rahul and Murali Vijay batted out the first 6 overs and ended on 19/0, still requiring 87 to seal the match and the series.

Speaking after the day’s play Ashwin said the hosts couldn’t have asked for more. “We couldn’t have asked for more. We had a great first session. I thought Jaddu and Saha batted really well, we got our noses in front. I thought they bowled well all through the day yesterday. We had to buckle in and we got vital small partnerships going, but we couldn’t convert them. What happened today morning was special. It is still a good wicket to bat. There are a few cracks opening outside off-stump which is tricky. We need to be tight against the off-spinner,” Ashwin said.

“It was a great spell from Umesh and Bhuvi to start the innings and  set the tone for us. Not many times do we get such tone to utilise as spinners. It is one of those day’s where they came out all guns blazing. It has been a magical season. It will be difficult to replicate this performance but I am sure I will try and strive hard. 81 (sic) wickets in 13 games, doesn’t come a lot better than that.”

Speaking on his bowling partner Ravindra Jadeja, Ashwin said, ”I thought he batted beautifully. I told him (Jadeja) there was a hundred for the taking, which he missed. After reaching his fifty he played too many shots. He’s a very talented batsman and if he puts his head together he can make a few hundreds for us. We will pretty much bat the way we have, tight batting that Vijay and Rahul does and hopefully, they make fifties for themselves.”