November 2, 2024: During the second day of the third Test against New Zealand, Ravichandran Ashwin showcased his skills not just with the ball but also in the field, pulling off a stunning catch to dismiss Daryl Mitchell. As the partnership between Mitchell and Will Young threatened to push India further from victory, Ashwin’s moment of brilliance came when he sprinted backward to grab a high catch, igniting cheers from the Wankhede crowd.
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Reflecting on the catch, Ashwin stated, “I wanted to get as close to the ball as possible. I have got great hands and I trusted my hands to go through with it.” His efforts didn’t stop there; he also used his signature carrom ball to take out Glenn Phillips, who had been aggressively scoring runs. Ashwin’s strategy of employing the carrom ball effectively turned the tide, dismissing Phillips and halting New Zealand’s momentum.
Ashwin elaborated on his approach, noting the pitch conditions were behaving differently from what he expected, leading him to adapt his strategy accordingly. “The game itself is divided into two halves. The one from the pavilion end and the other side, the wicket is responding very differently… I wanted to give something different,” he explained.
As Day 2 concluded, New Zealand ended with a score of 171/9, and Ashwin expressed hope that India could wrap up their innings quickly, minimizing the runs conceded. He acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating, “It’s not going to be easy, we’ll have to bat really well,” especially given the surprising slowness of the Mumbai pitch.
With a potential target around 150 or 160, Ashwin stressed the importance of solid batting to avoid a series whitewash, highlighting that the Indian batsmen would need to step up to meet the challenge.
