Ravichandran Ashwin weaves spin magic, outfoxed Steve Smith again, gets him for a duck

Byline By- Vinayak Heliwal

Australian batting sensation Steve Smith, who enjoys a brilliant record against India registered his first duck in international cricket against the visitors as the spin wizard Ravi Chandran Ashwin sent him packing in the morning session of the Boxing Day Test.

Ravichandran Ashwin once again emerged as India’s most successful bowler by getting two important wickets including the one of Steve Smith to give India the early advantage of the second Test.

India’s stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane produced a master class by keeping close in fielders against the Smith and it worked.

Ashwin, who got Smith for 1 in the Adelaide Test, pitched it around the middle and turned towards Smith’s legs. Smith was looking to nudge it behind square but ended up getting an edge. Pujara, at leg slip, dived across to his left and took a nice catch.

Ashwin was delighted when he got the big wicket of Steve Smith and celebrated the wicket by running near the boundary ropes.

On Smith’s wicket Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar said that Smith was more anxious to get off the mark and that’s why went to push at it and got the inside edge.

Earlier, Jasprit Bumrah struck early to remove Australia opener, Joe Burns, for a duck after Tim Paine won the toss and opted to bat first. Ashwin then dismissed Matthew Wade for 30 as India took the early advantage in the Boxing Day Test.