Watch: Ravichandran Ashwin and Marnus Labuschagne indulge in fun banter during Nagpur Test
The first Test between India and Australia is being played at Nagpur.
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Feb 9, 2023 1:50 pm
Ashwin and Labuschagne (Source: Twitter)
India and Australia are squaring off against each other at the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2022. This is the first time that the trophy will be played in India since 2017. The last time India played at home, they won 2-1. India have also won the last two editions of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy when it was held in Australia.
India started the match on a great note as they reduced Australia to 2-2 with a very impressive opening burst from Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami. Usman Khawaja and David Warner were dismissed in quick succession. Then it was all about Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith who made an unbeaten 47 off 110 balls with eight fours and 19 off 74 balls when lunch was taken.
In the course of the game, Ravichandran Ashwin was bowling to Marnus Labuschagne and they ensured a hilarious animated conversation between the two. Ashwin asked Labuschagne whether the ball was turning a lot to which Marnus replied in the affirmative. The incident between the two has gone viral on social media.
Australia hired the services of Mahesh Pithiya to tackle Ravichandran Ashwin
Australia have put a lot of effort when it comes to preparing against spinners in the series against India. They had a four-day preparatory camp in Bengaluru where they hired the services of Mahesh Pithiya. The Baroda off-spinner has modelled his bowling action along the lines of Ashwin and Australia used his services. Australia have come to India for the first time since 2017.
India also had a lot of preparation going into the series. They had a camp in Nagpur with a lot of other spinners such as Washington Sundar and Jayant Yadav, both of whom were used to counter the threat of Nathan Lyon, who has been lethal against India.
India have also had some problems with finger spin and playing the off-spinners and left-arm spinners in recent times and would have looked to address the issue.
India would look to do well against Australia and win the series so that they could get to the Test Championship final. India played the last Test championship final against New Zealand at Southampton in England. New Zealand won that contest and beat India in the final.
