Watch: R Ashwin set up Shivam Dube beautifully in what proved to be a game-changing spell in the game between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals.
On a turning track, RR had done well to get 175-8, riding on contributions from Jos Buttler, Devdutt Padikkal, Shimron Hetmyer and Ashwin. Despite the early departure of Ruturaj Gaikwad, CSK seemed in control of the chase as Ajinkya Rahane and Devon Conway struck the ball nicely. Ashwin, though, had other ideas. He first dismissed Rahane, then produced a moment of magic to outwit Dube and tighten RR’s grip on the game.
In the 12th over, it had become clear that Dube wanted to take Ashwin on. Anticipating this, Ashwin fired a length delivery down the leg side. The next ball, the third of the over, landed on a length and Dube smashed it back past Ashwin for four. Ashwin slowed things up the very next delivery. Dube swung his bat, but the ball gripped and spun past the bat and even the tramlines on the off side.
Ashwin now slipped in a slider that pitched on middle and off stump and skidded through. Dube did not anticipate this change, and was utterly deceived. He played down the wrong line, the ball struck him on the pads, and the umpire raised his finger in a jiffy.
That wicket helped RR pin CSK back, considering Dube is aming their better players of spin. Replays indicated that Dube might have survived had he reviewed. However, nothing should be taken away from how wonderfully Ashwin bowled and got the better of Dube.
