It’s just taken a day for R Ashwin to turn his detractors into admirers. The veteran off-spinner roared back to form with a brilliant five-wicket-haul on Day 3 of the Ranchi Test against England. The 37-year-old led India’s bowling unit from the front as England were bundled out for 145 in the second innings, handing India the driver’s seat as the hosts are well-placed to seal the series even before the final encounter in Dharamsala.
India have fought their way back into the fourth Test against England, riding on R Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav’s masterclass of spin bowling on a spiteful pitch in Ranchi. Ashwin picked up 5, Kuldeep Yadav chipped in with 4 and Ravindra Jadeja got the big wicket of Jonny Bairstow as England folded without a fight in their second innings, failing to make use of a 46-run first innings lead.
Apart from Zak Crawley, who managed to hold his ground with a resilient innings of 60 runs off 91 balls, none of the other England batters got going.
IND vs ENG 4th Test, Day 3: Highlights
Ashwin’s heroics on Day 3 unfolded with successive dismissals of Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett, immediately placing immense pressure on the visitors. The 37-year-old spinner continued to showcase his brilliance by claiming the crucial wicket of in-form Joe Root via a controversial LBW decision. He then went on to dismiss Ben Foakes, the last of England’s frontline batters, and then bag the 35th five-wicket-haul of his career with the dismissal of James Anderson.
Ashwin’s performance has garnered immense praise from fans and former cricketers alike.
With Indian spinners picking up all 10 English wickets in the second innings, the tourists could only manage a total of 145, setting up a target of 192 runs for the hosts.
At stumps on Day 3, India already had 40 runs on the board with their opening pair Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal playing a fearless brand of cricket.