India’s ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin showered rich praise on Kuldeep Yadav for his all-round brilliance with the bat and ball on Day 3 of the Ranchi Test.
India had slumped to 177-7 on the second evening. However, Kuldeep (28) and Dhruv Jurel (90) joined forces and steadied the ship. They added an innings-defining 76 runs, which didn’t allow the visitors to take a big lead. With the ball in hand, Kuldeep dismantled England’s middle-order with figures of 4-22 in 15 overs. He complemented Ashwin well, who starred with figures of 5-51 to bowl out England for just 145 in their second innings.
After going wicketless in the first innings at Ranchi, it was a brilliant effort from the left-arm wrist spinner.
“I loved the way Kuldeep bowled today; he was brilliant, the way he changed the trajectory, change of pace, the dip he got – I think he is double the bowler now,” Ashwin told host broadcaster after the day’s play. “I took away a five-wicket haul from him. It was hard on him yesterday, we sent him to bat early, but he showed a lot of technique and guile, we batted almost the entire first session.”
Ashwin started the proceedings with the new ball in hand for India post-lunch. Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj bowled really well in the first innings with the new ball. Despite that, Rohit started with his most experienced duo of Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in England’s second innings. The plan worked as Ashwin bagged the first three wickets with the new ball. When asked about what prompted him to take the new ball, Ashwin said: “Rohit said in the huddle, ‘both of you are starting, who wants to start’? I put my hand up and said I will start from this side. Glad (it paid off). I have got some sort of an attachment with the new ball and I enjoyed bowling a little bit more speed. Loved it once again.”
Ashwin said that the Indian team was happy not to concede a big lead in the first innings.
“We batted almost until lunch; if we had given up even 70-80 runs, the thought when we went back to the hotel last night, we would have taken it with both hands.
England spinner Shoaib Bashir delivered an impressive 44 overs during India’s first innings, ultimately securing figures of 5 for 119. Celebrating his maiden five-wicket haul in only his second Test match, Bashir dedicated his achievement to his late grandfathers.
“I want to dedicate this five-wicket haul to my two late grandfathers who passed away around a year-and-a-half ago. They cherished Test cricket, and it was their desire for me to play. I’m deeply thankful,” Shoaib Bashir said, speaking to TNT Sports.
After setting India a target of 192 runs, England’s bowlers struggled to make a breakthrough in the final half-hour. India concluded the day on 40 without loss, requiring another 152 runs to secure victory with all 10 wickets intact.
“We would have preferred to pick up one or two wickets in that late period, but we have a significant task ahead of us tomorrow. Anything is possible on this pitch,” added Bashir.