Being Able To Get Steve Smith Out Early Is Something We Have Worked On: Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin has been on fire in the ongoing Test series against Australia as he has ruled over the Australian batsmen in the first two Tests. Ravichandran Ashwin took six wickets in the second Test as India beat Australia by eight wickets in Melbourne to level the series. The 34-year old, who has managed to keep Steve Smith quiet, mentioned that their plans against him have come off.

Steve Smith, who has been the heart and soul of Australia’s batting for the last few years, has not been able to get going in the ongoing Test series. Ravichandran Ashwin has claimed his wicket in two out of three innings thus far and Smith is yet to reach double figures too. The 34-year old has ten victims in the series and has been one of the significant differences.

Australia has struggled to put on compelling scores in the ongoing Test series, mainly due to Steve Smith’s struggles with the bat. With David Warner being unfit for the first two Tests and Joe Burns out of form, the pressure has increased manifold on Smith and Marnus Labuschagne. In four innings, Australia’s highest total has been 200, which they managed in Melbourne.

He pretty much holds the batting line-up together: Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin underlined that if they could not get Steve Smith’s wicket in Australia, they would be in trouble since he is the glue that holds their batting line-up together. The Tamil Nadu offie highlighted that they have worked on getting his wicket early and it’s a pleasure when their plans manage to work.

“Coming down to Australia if you cannot get Steve Smith out it is always going to be an uphill task. He pretty much holds the batting line-up together and especially without David Warner not being around, Steve Smith’s responsibility becomes much more. Being able to get him out early is something we have worked on. We have put together plans and them coming together, it’s always a pleasure for us,” Ashwin told 7 cricket.

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