WATCH : Ravichandran Ashwin's unbelievable delivery to dismiss Marnus Labuschagne during 2nd ODI

While Team India batters garnered most of the attention during their 99-run victory against Australia. In the second One-Day International in Indore, the bowling attack was shrewd in how they made the most of the favourable playing conditions. In the second over, the opener Matt Short and skipper Steve Smith were both out in quick succession by Prasidh Krishna, who then began the demolition work. 

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An hour-long pause was brought on by the weather delay in the second ODI. India's Ravichandran Ashwin undoubtedly clinched the deal by capturing three significant wickets after the rain break. The Indians first put a score of 399 on the scoreboard for the Australians to hunt down. But after the rain break, the target was lowered to 317 under 33 overs (DLS method). Having a dangerous-looking David Warner alongside Marnus Labuschagne in the middle, Australia scored 56/2 in 9 overs. 

Later, Ashwin said that he used a slightly different version of his signature carrom ball to remove Labuschagne.  Since he understood Australia had little to fear and had to attack at most deliveries following the rain delay.

In a video that the Indian Cricket Board put on its website, Ashwin said that he intended to constantly change his speed. Labuschagne, the Australian batsman, frequently tried to play various variations of the sweep shot versus him. He said, “I wanted to keep the length perfectly, in terms of trying to keep it away from the batter and also change pace.”

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Marnus Labuschagne cleaned by Ashwin

What a leg break ball !

🔥🔥🔥#AUSvsIND#AUSvsIND2023#Jawan pic.twitter.com/h200Ex1mTI

— Shah Faisal (@vshahfaisal) September 24, 2023

“I’m using my third finger to bowl the carrom ball”: Ravichandran Ashwin

The Delhi Capitals spinner described his frame of mind during that time. He tells about his intention attempting the variations that finally led to Labuschagne being bowled. In the thirteenth over, he was attempting to play a skidding carrom ball with his back foot. 

He added, “I felt they were not picking it off the hand that very well. So maybe that angle that I’m creating and the change of grip - I’m using my third finger to bowl the carrom ball and the off-break - maybe, hopefully, it will hold me in good stead.”