Australian opener David Warner was one of the two half-centurions in his team’s unsuccessful run chase against India. Warner is known for playing cheeky shots. Often, Warner has even pulled off a maximum or two batting right-handed. He has been seen batting right-handed in the nets as well but he took it took far against Ravichandran Ashwin in the second ODI at Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore.
In an attempt to counter the off-spinner, Warner turned right-handed. He employed the sweep shot well and managed to hit a boundary as well. However, he made the mistake of playing the reverse sweep and paid the price for it.
In the 15th over of the run chase, Warner could not pick the pitched-up carrom ball. The length and the pace were not right for the shot and it ended up hitting him on the pad in front of the wickets. Ashwin appealed and the umpire raised his finger immediately. Warner asked his partner Josh Inglis whether he should opt for DRS but after a conversation, he decided against it.
While Ashwin had the last laugh, Warner would consider it as a missed opportunity. The ultraedge showed that Warner managed an inside edge off his bat before it hit the pad. Had Warner reviewed the decision it would have been overturned.
Warner scored 53 runs from 39 balls including seven fours and a six. In the same over, Ashwin got Inglis out lbw as well. The veteran off-spinner had earlier dismissed Marnus Labuschagne who went across the line and got bowled.
Ashwin from his quota of seven overs in a rain-curtailed game conceded 41 runs and picked up three wickets. He caused a batting collapse and Australia got bowled out for 217 in the 29th over. KL Rahul-led India won the match by 99 runs (DLS method).
Ashwin has been in fine form since his return to the ODI squad after nearly 20 months. Ahead of the ODI World Cup, he has presented the team management an option in him as he can take the ball into and away from the batter with his subtle variations. It will be interesting to see whether Washington Sundar gets a chance in the third and final ODI of the series.
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