The first day of the second Test between India and Australia was eventful for both teams. The Australians finished their first innings with a total of 263 runs. Usman Khawaja and Peter Handscomb both delivered impressive knocks to help Australia post a respectable total.
Following his solid performance in the first Test, former captain Steve Smith failed to deliver in the second Test against Team India. He scored 37 and 25* runs in the two innings of the Nagpur Test, but he was dismissed for a duck by veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, and he was unable to play for Australia again.
Ashwin dismissed both Marnus Labuschagne and Smith in three deliveries. Interestingly, the 36-year-old became the first bowler in Test cricket history to dismiss Smith for a duck twice. When Australia and India faced each other in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne in 2020, Ashwin dismissed Smith for a duck.
After the ball hit the pad, Ashwin trapped Marnus Labuschagne, but the umpire called it not out. However, the 36-year-old persuaded skipper Rohit Sharma to make a DRS call, which resulted in the decision being reversed and Labuschagne being dismissed. Ashwin then caught Steve Smith, and a good catch by KS Bharat had him walking back to the pavilion.
Ashwin has undoubtedly been one of India’s best bowlers in recent years, particularly in red-ball cricket. The 36-year-old has been in outstanding form, having completed his fifer in the first Test against Australia and taking three wickets in the first innings of the second Test.
After Australia scored 263 in their first innings, India scored 21 runs on Day 1 without losing a wicket. On Day 2 of the match, they will look to build on their success.
