I Think They Have Underestimated How Good He Is - Ricky Ponting Mesmerized By Indian Bowler's Performance In The First Innings

Former Australia captain, Ricky Ponting feels that the Australian batsman underestimated the skills of Ravichandran Ashwin after the hosts were bundled out for 191 in their first innings on the second day of the ongoing day-night Test match in Adelaide. Ashwin took 4 wickets as India took a healthy lead of 54 runs.

Australia started the day on a positive note by quickly demolishing the Indian lower order and tailenders, taking 4 wickets for 9 runs, as the visitors finished their first innings on 244. In reply, the Indian bowlers were emphatic and didn’t allow any major partnership to build up.

Jasprit Bumrah got rid of both the openers before the first session. In the post-dinner session, off-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin ran through the Australian middle-order. He picked the prized wicket of Steve Smith by setting him up with an incoming delivery and then edging him with a straighter one. Travis Head lobbed a simple catch back to Ashwin while Cameron Green got out to a nothing delivery smashing it to short mid-wicket, where Indian skipper, Virat Kohli took a fantastic catch.

From the other end, the pacers were doing their job to accuracy; keeping the pressure and picking an occasional wicket. Ashwin came back in the third session to take the wicket of Nathan Lyon as he gave a fairly easy catch once again to Kohli.

It’s been their undoing: Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting believes that the Australian batsman has largely themselves to blame for their disappointing performance on Friday. Pointing, who worked with Ashwin during the IPL in the Delhi Capitals camp, opined that the batters underestimated the might of Ashwin while focussing on the Indian pacers.

The 45-year-old feels that the Aussies tried to score quickly against the off-spinner by being too aggressive, which eventually brought their downfall.

“Batsmen have looked to be quite aggressive against Ashwin. I think they’ve just underestimated Ashwin and how good he is. They’ve looked to score their runs from him, and it’s been their undoing,” Ricky Ponting told Channel 7.

India ended day 2 at the score of 9/1 and have a lead of 62 runs. Prithvi Shaw was once again bowled for a cheap score, this time by paceman, Pat Cummins. Nightwatchman, Jasprit Bumrah was sent at number 3. Bumrah and Mayank Agarwal survived the final burst from the Cummins and Mitchell Starc.

The third day, often known as the moving day will see the two teams battle out for every single run. India currently on top of the game, will hope to extend their lead to as big as possible.

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