India made three changes for the second Test against Australia, with captain Rohit Sharma, top-order batter Shubman Gill, and spinner Ravichandran Ashwin making it to the playing XI. Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jure,l and Washington Sundar were dropped after just one game.
Ashwin, who has an impressive track record at Adelaide, was expected to bowl a few overs in the last session of the day, but the veteran was given just six balls by Rohit. In the only over he bowled, Nathan McSweeney, the Aussie opener, had troubled in picking his deliveries.
Harbhajan Singh, the legendary Indian spinner, was surprised that Ashwin was not given a spell of four or five overs. He was talking about the off-spinner for some time from the commentary box before Rohit finally decided to introduce him.
“I think he should have bowled a few overs. There was a need for a full spell from him, and it could have helped the team, as he has taken wickets at this venue in the past. I am surprised that Rohit gave him just one over. Instead of Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ashwin should have bowled to Marnus Labuschagne and Nathan McSweeney. Ashwin should get more overs on Day 2 as he is a wicket-taking bowler,” he said.
Nitish was given three overs, with Australia reaching 86/1 at the stumps. Earlier, India were bowled out for 180 runs, with Mitchell Starc taking 6 wickets.
Related