NEW DELHI:
Ravichandran Ashwin
and
Jonny Bairstow
had contrasting performances in their
100th Test
match at the picturesque
HPCA Stadium
.
Ashwin, the veteran off-spinner, made the milestone match unforgettable by bamboozling the England batters with his variations.
Although he couldn't contribute much with the bat, Ashwin made up for it with a remarkable performance with the ball, taking nine wickets in the match, including a five-for in the second innings.
With a total of 26 wickets in the series, Ashwin finished as the leading wicket-taker. He also surpassed Anil Kumble to become the Indian bowler with the most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket, achieving this feat for the 36th time.
Notably, Ashwin is the only player to have taken a five-wicket haul in both his debut and 100th Test match.
On the other hand, Bairstow had a disappointing outing in his milestone match.
Expected to replicate his impressive form under captain
Ben Stokes
, Bairstow struggled against India's spin challenge. He managed scores of 29 and 2, failing to make a significant impact.
Overall, Bairstow scored 238 runs at an average of 23.80 in the series.
Kuldeep Yadav
, India's 'Chinaman' spinner, proved to be Bairstow's nemesis on both occasions, leaving him clueless with his magical deliveries. Bairstow's frustration was evident as he walked back to the pavilion after being deceived by Kuldeep's variations.
Ashwin's 100th Test match was a memorable one as he showcased his skills with the ball, while Bairstow's milestone match didn't live up to expectations.
Ashwin's exceptional performance and records set in this match further solidify his status as one of India's greatest spinners. As for Bairstow, he will be disappointed with his performance but will look to bounce back in future matches.
The HPCA Stadium witnessed contrasting fortunes for these two players on their special milestone.
(With inputs from ANI)
English (US) ·