R Ashwin attempted to gain insight into the thoughts of Marnus Labuschagne on the first day of the first BGT 2023 Test match between India and Australia.
Australia was brought back to a more promising situation when Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne collaborated for a challenging half-century partnership on the first day of the Nagpur Test against India. The two batters bravely faced the Indian spin trinity of Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin. The three spinners bowled a total of 22 overs but didn’t take any wickets as Australia got to 76/2 at lunchtime on Day 1.
The ground pitch of Nagpur was heavily discussed before the start of the Test match, but overall it didn’t cause any serious issues, apart from a couple of incidents. When bowling, Ravindra Jadeja sent one ball to Smith, which skipped up from the rough and went for byes. R Ashwin also bowled a full delivery to Labuschagne, which unexpectedly shot up and hit him in the upper left thigh.
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Right away, Ashwin utilized his usual strategies, signaling to Labuschagne, almost cautioning him regarding the spin. Ashwin, indirectly communicating to Labuschagne, glanced at the wicketkeeper KS Bharat and made a gesture by turning his index finger, attempting to put the menace in the batter’s head. As Ashwin anticipated, it certainly did get Labuschagne’s attention, yet the batter did not let the spin bowler get comfortable. He also had a response for Ashwin, voicing a few words in return.