Watch-Ravichandran Ashwin cleans up Tom Hartley to break the long-standing partnership

Updated - 28 Jan 2024, 01:06 PM

Ravichandran Ashwin Tom Hartley
Ravichandran Ashwin Tom Hartley. Image Credits: Twitter

Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin displayed his skill by dismissing England’s lower-order batter Tom Hartley in the opening session of Day 3. Ravichandran Ashwin provided a crucial breakthrough by ending the partnership between Ollie Pope and Hartley.

The England team resumed the fourth day with a total of 316/6 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. During the first session, the visiting team scored 104 runs and lost four wickets. They set a target of 231 runs for the home team in the first match.

Ollie Pope added a valuable 64-run partnership with the young Rehan Ahmed for the seventh wicket in the second innings. Jasprit Bumrah ended the partnership by dismissing Rehan earlier in the day. Rehan scored 28 runs off 53 balls before edging the ball to KS Bharat.

The England vice captain went on to form an 80-run partnership with Tom Hartley. The visitors extended their lead past 200 with this partnership. KL Rahul dropped Pope’s catch when he was on 186. Hartley played brilliant shots against Indian bowlers during his knock.

Ravichandran Ashwin Cleans Up Tom Hartley

In the 101st over of England’s second innings in the series opener, Ravichandran Ashwin bowled Tom Hartley, deceiving the batter with a low bounce. The debutant had to walk to the dugout after contributing valuable 34 runs off 52 deliveries, featuring four boundaries.

The 37-year-old spinner was a little bit expensive with the ball in the second innings, conceding 126 runs in his 29 overs. The veteran bowler dismissed Zak Crawley and Ben Stokes on the second day’s play. He also picked up three wickets in England’s first innings.

Ashwin achieved massive milestones during the ongoing series. He became the first Indian bowler to complete 150 wickets in the ongoing WTC cycle. He also surpassed Anil Kumble’s (92) record to become India’s second-highest wicket-taker against England in Tests.

Following Hartley’s dismissal, the Ben Stokes-led team lost the remaining two wickets in the next two overs. The English team added just one run to the board before losing their last three wickets. Jasprit Bumrah ended England’s innings by rattling Ollie Pope’s stumps.

The home team needs 231 runs to open their account in the ongoing five-match Test series. The Indian team has a deep batting lineup, featuring Axar Patel at No. 9. The English spinners have to deliver consistent bowling to trouble the Indian batters in the final innings.

It Will Be A Big Achievement – Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja expressed his hope for Ravichandran Ashwin to achieve the milestone of 500 Test wickets in the ongoing match. Jadeja extended his wishes for Ashwin’s continued success in taking wickets for the Indian cricket team.

“It will be a big achievement if Ashwin completes 500 Test wickets and I hope he gets it in this match. I am left with 25 wickets for 300 and it might take the whole series, but I wish Ashwin completes his 500 in this game itself and continues taking wickets for India,” Jadeja told JioCinema as per news agency PTI.

Also read: Ravichandran Ashwin creates history in 1st Test vs England, becomes first Indian to achieve this milestone

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England National Cricket Team IND vs ENG 2024 India National Cricket Team Ravichandran Ashwin Tom Hartley