India vs Australia: ‘He wasn’t able to control the shot’ – Sunil Gavaskar on Steve Smith’s dismissal off Ravi Ashwin

India vs Australia: ‘He wasn’t able to control the shot’ – Sunil Gavaskar on Steve Smith’s dismissal off Ravi Ashwin

(L-R) Ravi Ashwin, Sunil Gavaskar and Steve Smith

Ravi Ashwin claimed three wickets during the first innings of the Boxing Day Test

The Indian team dominated the day one’s play during the second Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Ace speedster Jasprit Bumrah led the visitors’ bowling attack with his brilliant spell of 16-4-56-4. However, spinner Ravi Ashwin laid the foundation after he got the quick wickets of Matthew Wade and Steve Smith at the top. 

The 34-year old claimed the wicket of Smith for the second time in this series. Steve Smith is undoubtedly one of the best batsmen of the home side as once he gets going, it’s almost impossible stopping him. He was caught down the leg side in this innings on a straight delivery from Ashwin. Cheteshwar Pujara was attentive at the leg slip as he completed a good low catch.  

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It looked that Ashwin came with a plan against Steve Smith as he earlier got him out in the slips only. 

‘Ashwin tried restricting batsmen from playing shots through the off-side’ – Sunil Gavaskar

(L-R) Ravi Ashwin, Sunil Gavaskar and Steve Smith

Former Indian opening batsman Sunil Gavaskar hailed the Indian spinner for webbing a trap around Steve Smith. He reckoned that the kangaroo batsman looked eager to open his account as he played this shot.

“First and foremost, I’m pretty surprised at the fact that on Day one there’s a lot of turn for the Indian spinners. He’s been bowling straight, he’s been bowling on the middle and leg. It’s been pretty much a plan to try and restrict the batsmen from playing any shot through the off-side. If you look at Smith’s dismissal because maybe he was on zero and wanted to get off the mark. However, he wasn’t able to control it. On the other hand, there were a couple of deliveries when Labuschagne was playing, and he shouldered arms, Smith could’ve done that as well but I’m not complaining,” Gavaskar told Seven Cricket.

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