Watch: R Ashwin v AB de Villiers contest at its best in Nagpur Test

The contest between Ravichandran Ashwin and the world’s best batsman AB de Villiers (R Ashwin v AB de Villiers) has been a high point of the ongoing Test series between India and South Africa. While Amit Mishra got the better of AB in the first Test at Mohali where he scored 63 and 16, it was Ravindra Jadeja who ended his wonderful knock of 85 at Bengaluru courtesy a brilliant catch by keeper Wriddhiman Saha. Finally, Ashwin troubled AB in the second innings at Nagpur and the contest was worth watching.

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AB loves using his feat to unsettle the bowlers and is largely successful in doing so. Ashwin though is at the peak of his powers and bowling with guile and unwavering control. He consistently bowled his stock delivery which AB tried to counter to the best of his abilities. He tried to defend from the crease, off the front and back foot both used his feet which at times looked awkward. He was lucky to survive a bat-pad chance and also had to use his pad to avoid being stumped. Many balls hit his pad as he looked to survive against the world’s best off-spinner. Ashwin uses his variations to great effect and has a lethal carom ball.

AB was completely baffled by a ball that pitched and went the other way ever so slightly. The carom ball went past his defence and left the great batsman clueless as he played down the wrong line. The ball hit AB’s back leg and he was plumb in front. Playing for the off-spin his bat was angled towards the midwicket region which didn’t help his cause. Ashwin eventually ended with career best figures of 7/66 in an innings as India sealed the series with one match in hand.

Watch via (Indian Cricket Team)