Skipper Rohit Sharma went with three spinners in India’s campaign opener in the ODI World Cup 2023 at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. The conditions suited Indian spinners as they got more purchase from the surface. Ravichandran Ashwin who was playing his first ODI World Cup game since 2015 got a chance to play at his home ground against Australia.
In the 18th over, a well-set Steve Smith was bamboozled by Ashwin’s carrom ball. Ashwin was able to draw Smith forward. The Australian expected the ball to spin into the wicket but it turned away beating the bat. As the ball went away, Smith knew he had been beaten as his mouth was wide open.
KL Rahul had a similar reaction as he collected the ball. Umpire Chris Gaffaney was impressed with the perfect carrom ball as Ashwin had his hands on his mouth wondering how it missed the outside edge. On the other hand, Ravindra Jadeja who was fielding inside the 30-yard circle jumped a few times as he could not believe how Ashwin did not get a wicket.
After that over, Rohit introduced left-arm spinner Jadeja into the attack. He bowled a tight line and troubled Smith and Marnus Labuschagne. After the drinks break, in his fifth over, Smith faced another unplayable ball but this time he got bowled.
After that over, Rohit introduced left-arm spinner Jadeja into the attack. He bowled a tight line and troubled Smith and Marnus Labuschagne. After the drinks break, in his fifth over, Smith faced another unplayable ball but this time he got bowled. Jadeja was able to get the drift in towards leg-stump. The ball was pitched on a good length. Smith went forward to defend it but the ball spun away and crashed into the off stump.
Smith scored 46 runs from 71 deliveries including five fours. Jadeja did not stop there and struck twice in his next over. Marnus Labuschagne went for a sweep shot but all he could manage was an edge which was caught by KL Rahul. Then Alex Carey came out to bat to counter the length-arm spinner. Jadeja went around the wicket and was able to trap the batter in front of the stumps to reduce Australia to 119/5 in the 30th over.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK
ODI World Cup: Kane Williamson ruled out of New Zealand's match against Netherlands, coach Gary Stead reveals return date
EXCLUSIVE: World Cup winner Suresh Raina backs India to win trophy on home soil once again
