New Delhi: Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin emerged as the star of Day 1 of the opening Test between India and Sri Lanka. The tweaker picked up a six-wicket haul to bundle out the hosts for a below par total of 183 in their first Innings.
Here is how the off-spinner thwarted the Sri Lankan batsmen.
Ashwin started off with the bumper wicket of Kumar Sangakkara, who is playing his farewell Test series. It was a perfectly pitched ball at the middle and off. Sanga mistimed it a bit and KL Rahul, standing at silly point, took a outstanding reflex catch to send the batsman packing.
KC Sangakkara c Rahul b Ashwin 5 (12b)
His next victim was Thirimanne. This time the offie tossed the ball up and forced the batsman to drive. On this occasion the southpaw only managed to have a thick outside edge of his bat as Rahane took a clean low catch at first slip.
HDRL Thirimanne c Rahane b Ashwin 13 (38b)
After picking up the wicket of Thirimanne, Ashwin grew in confidence. The 28-year-old, then scalped his third wicket in the form of Jehan Mubarak for a duck. It was straight one from round the stumps, which also got some extra bounce as the left-hander played it straight to the short leg fielder.
J Mubarak c Rahul b Ashwin 0 (7b)
Later on Ashwin broke the dangerous looking partnership between Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal by getting the skipper. This time Rohit Sharma at short leg took a stunner. Rohit first juggled the ball in the air and then showed his athleticism by diving and grabbing it one handed.
AD Mathews c RG Sharma b Ashwin 64 (92b)
Ashwin then completed his five-wicket haul with the wicket of the tail-ender Dhammika Prasad by trapping him in front of the wicket. The batsman couldn't even manage to open his account.
KTGD Prasad lbw b Ashwin 0 (6b)
The experienced tweaker didn't stop there and ended up with outstanding figures of 6/46 in his 13.4 overs by picking up the last wicket of Rangana Herath. Herath went for a sweep and misread the line completely only to be castled by Ashwin.
HMRKB Herath b Ashwin 23 (24b)
