Australia fumble against Indian spinners: How the hosts emerged as victors on Day 3

INDIA V AUSTRALIA SCORECARD

After stretching their lead to over 200 runs, India bowled out Australia for 91 in about a session to win the Test by an innings and 132 runs. Ravindra Jadeja was declared the Player of the Match for bowling figures of 7-81 and 70 runs with the willow.

The win shortens the gap between the two sides in the World Test Championship Standings with India's point percentage rising to 61.67% while Australia's dropped to 70.83%.

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Ravichandran Ashwin comes to the party in the third innings

While Ashwin had played his role on the first two days of the Test, picking 3/42 in the first innings and scoring a sturdy 23 with the bat, the experienced off-spinner took the centre stage during Australia’s second innings.

He accounted for Australia opener Usman Khawaja in his very first over, luring the left-hander into a drive through a tossed-up delivery. All Khawaja could manage was an outside edge off a turning ball to the first slip.

Ashwin then put his guile and tactical acumen to best use and accounted for four other Australia batters, to finish with 5/37. This included David Warner, whose horrid run in India continues. The batter averages 22.16 in the country.

Ashwin is now the third-most successful India bowler against Australia at home, with 58 wickets to his name at an average of 21.32. He is closing in on second-placed Anil Kumble, who has 62 wickets against Australia at home.

With this five-wicket haul, Ashwin now has six five-fors against Australia. He has 25 five-wicket hauls at home, which equals him to India record-holder Kumble.

Ashwin has picked 320 Test wickets at home and went past Australia’s Shane Warne who had 319 scalps in his backyard, to become the fifth-most successful bowler at home.

Australia fail against tweakers yet again

As it was in the first innings, eight Australian batters fell to spin. Ashwin picked five, Jadeja got rid of Marnus Labuschagne and skipper Pat Cummins, while Axar Patel picked one wicket.

With eight and seven wickets respectively, Ashwin and Jadeja are the leading wicket-takers after the first Test.

The duo have dominated Australia over the years in home encounters. Ashwin and Jadeja were the leading wicket-takers of the last two home editions of the Border-Gavaskar.

Ashwin took the pole position in the 2013 series with 29 wickets, while Jadeja was second placed with 24 wickets. In the 2017 series they switched places, Jadeja led the bowling charts with 25 wickets while Ashwin was second with 21 scalps.

Resounding victory for India

The day began with India looking to extend their lead. They lost Jadeja quite early to Todd Murphy, but after that Axar and Mohammad Shami added 52 runs for the ninth wicket. While Axar followed a level-headed approach, Shami played the aggressor, connecting some lusty blows against the young Murphy.

India were finally bowled out for 400, extending their advantage to 223 runs. In their second innings, Australia's batting had no answers to India’s spin attack.

This was India’s third-biggest win over Australia when with regards to victories by an innings.

The second Test begins on 17 February in Delhi.