Ravichandran Ashwin reacts to Australia humiliating New Zealand in their own backyard

India ace Ravichandran Ashwin hailed Pat Cummins and Alex Carey after they powered Australia to a memorable three-wicket win over New Zealand in the second Test at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Chasing 279 runs, Australia had their back against the wall after being reduced to 34 for 4 and then 80 for 5.

It was followed by a 140-run stand between Carey and Mitchell Marsh for the sixth wicket as Australia clawed their way back into the game. Ben Sears broke the stand by dismissing Marsh for 80. Marsh’s 80-run knock came off just 102 balls and was studded with ten fours and a six.

Sears then struck on his very next delivery to send back Mitchell Starc for a first ball and reduced Australia to 220 for 7 to put New Zealand on top once again. However, Carey stood firm and found an able partner in captain Cummins.

The duo did not let the hosts capitalize on the two breakthroughs and went on to share an unbeaten stand of 61 runs to take their team home thrillingly. Carey missed a well-deserved century by just two runs as he remained unbeaten on 98 while Cummins scored 32 off 44 balls.

Ravichandran Ashwin praises Carey and Cummins:

Soon after Carey and Cummins’ heroics against Australia, Ravichandran Ashwin took to X (formerly Twitter) to heap praise on the duo. With Cummins playing another crucial knock with the bat in addition to taking five wickets earlier in the game, Ravichandran Ashwin called it legendary stuff before praising Carey and pointing out that the wicketkeeper-batsman repaid the team management’s faith in him.

Carey was under immense pressure for failing to do well with the bat in recent times and his place in the team was also questioned by many. However, the Australian team management persisted with him and he finally repaid the faith with a heroic knock.

“Pat Cummins 👏👏legendary stuff and well done to Alex Carey 👌👌. After the kind of summer Carey has had, all the backing from the team management has paid dividends,” wrote Ravichandran Ashwin.

Pat Cummins 👏👏legendary stuff and well done to Alex Carey 👌👌.

After the kind of summer Carey has had, all the backing from the team management has paid dividends.#AUSvNZ

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) March 11, 2024

Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin himself starred with the ball in the recently concluded five-match Test series against England. The Tamil Nadu ace finished the series as the highest wicket-taker, taking 26 wickets in 5 games. During the series, he also picked up his 500th Test wicket.