Ashwin leads all-rounders’ charge as India makes Australia bite the dust

Off-spinner’s five-for sparks an Aussie collapse leading to an innings and 132-run defeat; Jadeja proves just as unplayable and picks up two wickets; Axar almost pulls off a maiden Test century

The all-rounder trio sizzled. And, Australia’s batting yet again fizzled!

India registered an innings and 132-run victory with seven sessions remaining in the game to take the lead in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

On the third day of the opening Test at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium on Saturday, Axar Patel dominated with the willow to stretch India’s overnight lead to 223. R. Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja then took over the baton and decimated Australia for a paltry 91, its lowest Test total in India.

If Australia lasted a little over two sessions on the first day, the second essay folded up in the afternoon session, with Mohammed Shami wiping the tail off after Ashwin and Jadeja had shared eight wickets.

Ashwin, especially, was relentless, exploiting the rough outside left-handers’ off-stump. He opened the innings from the North End. And, by the time he made way after a 12-over spell, Australia had been reduced to ashes, at 68 for seven.

Barring Steve Smith, no other Australia batter could apply himself against a top-quality spin attack. Had Virat Kohli not dropped a dolly off David Warner’s edge, India wouldn’t have required the extension of 11 minutes.

It took Ashwin just five balls to start Australia’s downfall, Usman Khawaja’s audacious attempted drive resulting in a nick to Kohli in the slips. It kick-started the procession, Ashwin being the wrecker-in-chief. His next four wickets were lbws, with Alex Carey’s reckless reverse sweep being the false shot.