IND vs AUS 2023: Ravichandran Ashwin completes fifer as Australia lose Nagpur Test

Team India continued its dominance on Day 3 of the first Test in Nagpur. After a fantastic bowling performance against the Aussies on Day 1, in which Australia managed to put 177 on the scoreboard, team India responded with a massive 400 runs at the end of its first innings.

There was no difference for Australia, as their struggle continued in the second innings as well. After Ravindra Jadeja’s five-wicket haul in the first innings, Ravichandran Ashwin took a fifer this time to make things difficult for Australia.

Ashwin dismissed both Australian openers, as Usman Khawaja and David Warner gave back-to-back poor performances. This is the 11th time Warner has been dismissed by Ashwin in Tests, which is the joint-most Ashwin has dismissed a batter alongside Ben Stokes. The 36-year-old then came on to wreak havoc on the Australian middle order as he took the wickets of Matt Renshaw, Peter Handscomb, and Alex Carey as well.

Team India win the first Test in Nagpur

After being bundled out for 177 in the first innings, the Aussies once again struggled against India in the second innings. They were only able to score 91 runs in the second innings, Steve Smith was the only batter who was left standing in the end, but Shami’s final wicket of Scott Boland meant that India won the match by an innings and 132 runs.

Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and skipper Rohit Sharma were integral to the Indian team's success in putting up a good score. Rohit scored a fabulous knock of 120 off 212 balls, whereas both Jadeja and Axar completed their half-centuries. The knock of Mohammed Shami was also very important for India; the 32-year-old scored 37 off 47 balls as he smashed three sixes and two fours.

Apart from Ashwin’s five-wicket haul, Jadeja also picked up two wickets, whereas Axar Patel picked up a wicket and Shami picked up two to win India the match. Smith had the highest score of 25* in the second innings for Australia.

After Ashwin's fabulous spell, the 36-year-old has become the second-highest wicket-taker in India vs. Australia Test matches with 97 wickets. He is just behind legendary Indian spinner Anil Kumble, who sits at the top with 111 wickets.