The ongoing Test match between India and New Zealand at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore is taking a toll on Team India, particularly on star spinner R Ashwin. As the match progresses into its fourth day, the likelihood of a favorable result for India appears bleak, and Ashwin’s individual performance adds to the team’s struggles.
In the first innings, New Zealand posted a formidable total of 402 runs, largely due to some resilient batting. Indian bowlers Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja each took three wickets, while Mohammed Siraj contributed with two. Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah managed to take one wicket apiece. However, Ashwin’s performance has raised eyebrows, as he recorded one of the worst performances of his Test career in this match.
Bowling 16 overs in the first innings, Ashwin conceded 94 runs, achieving a disappointing economy rate of 5.87. More alarmingly, he took just one wicket, which reflects a significant drop from his usual standards.
An Unwanted Record
What makes Ashwin’s performance even more notable is an unwanted record he set during this Test match. He bowled the 80th over of the New Zealand innings, during which he conceded a staggering 20 runs. This over included three boundaries and one six, marking the first time in Ashwin’s illustrious Test career that he has allowed such a high number of runs in a single over.
Prior to this match, Ashwin had never given away more than 17 runs in a single over throughout his Test career. The last time he conceded 17 or more runs in an over was back in 2016. Additionally, this match marks the 20th time Ashwin has taken only one wicket in a Test match played in India, a statistic that further highlights his struggles in familiar conditions.
As the match continues, all eyes will be on Ashwin and the Indian team to see if they can turn the tide or if this will mark a continuing trend of difficulties in a pivotal Test series.
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