Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21: Ricky Ponting believes Australian batsmen underestimated R Ashwin

India are taking on Australia in the first of the four-Test series against Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Ravichandran Ashwin rattled the hosts on Day 2 in Adelaide, restricting them to 191, as India earned a 53-run lead in the first innings.

The Indian bowlers just proved that they are equally strong as their batsmen, as they ripped apart the Australian batting order on Day 2 of the first Test, in Adelaide, on Friday. It was off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin's 4/55 that allowed India to earn a 53-run lead at the end of the first innings.

Meanwhile, former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting expressed his displeasure at the way the Australian batsmen batted against Ashwin. Moreover, he felt that the batsmen were extra aggressive against the veteran, thereby underestimating his talent and experience.

"Batsmen have looked to be quite aggressive against Ashwin. I think they've just underestimated Ashwin and how good he is. They've looked to score their runs from him, and it's been their undoing," Ponting was quoted as saying to Channel 7.

Ashwin's wickets included the likes of Steve Smith (1), Travis Head (7), Cameron Green (11) and Nathan Lyon (10). He was duly supported by the pacers too, with Umesh Yadav claiming 3/40

Speaking on his spell, Ashwin said, "I am so happy that we are playing Test cricket again. It's been a long time and I didn't imagine that we will be playing Test cricket, looking at what's happening around. Me being extremely mad about the sport, did a lot of work even during the lockdown. So, it felt refreshing to go out there and bowl, the feeling was great the pink-ball Test and all that new thing about the pink ball."

"Felt amazing to go out there and play. I felt I was making my debut all over again, so I really enjoyed bowling. Obviously, Smith wicket was a big wicket. The way he bats, how much time he bats and his appetite for runs is huge. The context of the game, where it was placed, so it was an important wicket and I enjoyed it," concluded Ashwin.

Match summary: Winning the toss, India had elected to bat first, as they were bundled out for 244, with Kohli (74) being the top scorer, while Mitchell Starc claimed 4/53. As for Australia, they were outplayed by Ashwin, who claimed 4/55, supported by Indian pacers, as the hosts were rattled for 191. While India earned a 53-run lead, they have extended it to 62 at stumps on Day 2.
Brief scores: India 244 & 9/1 (Myanak 5*; Cummins 1/6) lead Australia 191 (Paine 73; Ashwin 4/55, Umesh 3/40) by 62 runs.