Ace spinner Ravichandran Ashwin expressed his delight over his stunning catch to dismiss Daryl Mitchell on Day 2 of the Mumbai Test. Ashwin credited his hands for the successful catch, which could be a game-changing moment. Mitchell was looking well-set and posed a significant threat to India's chances.
The incident occurred in the 28th over when Ravindra Jadeja was bowling. Mitchell attempted a lofted shot, but mistimed it. Ashwin, anticipating the ball's trajectory, moved swiftly to complete a spectacular catch. The crowd at the Wankhede Stadium erupted in applause, chanting "Ashwin, Ashwin!"
I've got great hands, so I trusted my hands: R Ashwin on taking Daryl Mitchell's catch
Speaking to the broadcasters after the day's play, Ashwin revealed his thought process. He knew the ball was likely to go beyond his reach, but he determined to get as close to it as possible, trusting his instincts.
"I was just telling myself that it's going to anyway leave me, I wanted to get as close to the ball as possible and and I've got great hands, so I trusted my hands to go through with it," said Ashwin after the Day 2's play
Ravichandran Ashwin made a significant impact in the second innings, claiming three wickets after a wicketless first innings. He used his signature carrom ball effectively, dismissing both Glenn Phillips and Will Young.
Ashwin explained his bowling strategy, stating that the pitch behaved differently from the pavilion end. He decided to vary his deliveries to exploit the conditions and deceive the batsmen.
"The game itself is divided into two halves. The one from the pavilion end and the other side, the wicket is responding very differently. It's slightly flatter from the one where we are bowling from the dressing room side, the bounce is much lesser, so I thought I will try and use it the other way. The batters are also knowing that it's easier to take me on from this side. So I wanted to give something different," Ashwin added.
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New Zealand currently holds a 143-run lead after Day 2. Ashwin hopes India can swiftly wrap up the match. However, he acknowledges that the chase won't be easy and India will need to bat diligently to secure a victory.
"Hopefully not many, we should wrap it up with one or two runs here and there. Any runs saved in this innings is going to be much more critical for us when we chase it down. It's not going to be easy, we'll have to bat really well," Ashwin concluded.
New Zealand finished the Day 2's play at 171/9. Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin were the pick of the Indian bowlers as they combined to wreak havoc on New Zealand. While Ashwin took a three-fer, Jadeja notched a four-wicket haul to leave the visitors reeling.
