(Watch) Ravichandran Ashwin gets Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope on back-to-back balls after getting the new ball, IND vs ENG 4th Test.
In a remarkable resurgence, India’s premier spinner Ravichandran Ashwin made a significant impact by claiming the first two wickets of England’s second innings in the Ranchi Test. The victims were opener Ben Duckett and No. 3 Ollie Pope, both falling to Ashwin’s skillful bowling.
Duckett departed after scoring a brisk 15 runs off just as many balls. Despite initially finding success with a couple of boundaries using unorthodox shots against the spinners, Duckett succumbed to a well-disguised quicker delivery from Ashwin. Attempting to defend on the leg side, Duckett was surprised by the extra bounce, resulting in a simple catch to Sarfaraz Khan at forward short leg.
Pope, who had been instrumental for England with a magnificent century in the first Test, suffered a golden duck against Ashwin. A slider from Ashwin deceived Pope, who misjudged the line, expecting turn but instead found the ball going straight, striking him on the back foot. Despite Pope’s referral, the decision stood with ‘umpire’s call’ on hitting.
Rohit Sharma’s decision to entrust Ashwin with the new ball, a role he had been accustomed to but had not fulfilled in the earlier matches of the series, proved fruitful. Ashwin’s early breakthroughs put India firmly in control of the proceedings and served as a confidence booster for the spinner, especially amidst criticism over his performance in the home Test series.