Australia vs India 2018: Ravichandran Ashwin Holds the Key - Sourav Ganguly

Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly believes Ravichandran Ashwin is going to hold the key for the Indian team. Ashwin was the pick of the Indian bowlers on Day two of the ongoing first Test match at Adelaide. The Indian premier off-spinner was able to get his balls in the right areas and asked the right questions from the Australian batsmen. Consequently, Ashwin scalped three wickets after conceding 50 runs in his brilliant spell.

Ashwin was able to get the better off debutant Marcus Harris. Subsequently, he had Shaun Marsh bowled after the southpaw batsman went for the wide delivery. Ashwin was also able to dismiss the dangerous looking Usman Khawaja as he got the extra bounce to take the left-hander’s glove. Thus, Ashwin dismissed all the left-handers as he continued with his penchant of scalping the wicket of southpaws.

“Ashwin has been great and he has got all left-handers. Australia now needs to think about it and maybe Australia need to play Mitchell Marsh to negate that. Ashwin is a world-class spinner and he has to adjust and he has done that. In 2011, the Australian batsmen would attack him. In 2014 they dominated Ashwin as Australia won 2-0. The team had players like Ponting and Warner but this Australian team doesn’t have players like that,” Ganguly told IndiaTV.

The Prince of Kolkata believes India should start with Ravichandran Ashwin on Day three. In fact, Ashwin was also given the new ball after 80 overs. Ashwin will like to sweep out the Australian tail.

“India needs to start with Ashwin tomorrow morning. Ashwin will be really important in the series. Maybe less in Melbourne and Perth but he will be important in Sydney in the last Test,” he said.

“It will be difficult for Head to adjust again in the morning as he will have to get set again in the morning. India will need to start well in the morning. Both are left-handers and India need to grab the opportunity. They failed to do so in England as Sam Curran scored runs lower down the order and took the game away from the Indians. So, India needs to avoid that as both Head and Starc can bat.

Ganguly believes India should dismiss the Australian tail as soon as possible. In fact, the Indian bowlers have had a difficult time in clearing the tail of the opposition in the recent past.

“India need to get the tail as soon as possible. It will be important for India to get Starc and Head out as soon as possible and tomorrow could be the biggest day in the series,” he added.

Meanwhile, the start of the third day is delayed due to rain. The third day’s play is going to be imperative in the result of the Test match and both teams will like to get ahead. Australia currently trails by 59 runs.