Adelaide pitch becomes better for batting as Test match progresses: Ashwin

India's premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin observed that elaide Oval pitch for ongoing day/night Test against Australia is similar to one used here in 2018-19, which gets "better for batting" as match progresses.

Ashwin took 4 for 55 as Australia were bowled out for 191 in reply to India's first-innings total of 244 on second day of pink ball match.

"Going by what happened last time, wicket becomes better to bat as Test match goes on," Ashwin said during a virtual media conference.

"I felt it played best for batter on fifth day last time. when we went into Test match, we felt that we are in a similar sort of situation like last time," he ded.

From last time, he felt grass cover may have been slightly thicker and match situation also looks pretty similar if one goes by India's first-innings score two years ago.

Ashwin said, "...I think we me 250 last time and we were six runs shorter this time, so we knew that we are in contest." In terms of performance, he feels this bowling effort was better than last time. "We thought probably we put up a bowling performance that is a tch better than what we did last time," he said. He was very happy to have dismissed Steve Smith cheaply which could be a big factor in final context of match.

"Obviously it's a big wicket, given his appetite for runs and amount of time he bats, from that context of match, it was a big wicket. Really happy," he said. Nathan Lyon also looked potent during Indian innings but Ashwin feels that both are different s of bowlers.

"I think every spinner is different and it can be blown out of context as to how one approaches his tre. Nathan and I we both bowled very differently and we are different bowlers and successful in our own ways. For me it's t about trajectory so much, it's about trying to have those change ups and making it difficult for batsmen to score. If you are playing four bowlers, my job is to hold one end up and protect fast bowlers and also go for wickets if I get eugh assistance. So it become my job to make life difficult for batsmen," he said.

He praised pace spearhe Jasprit Bumrah for going out as a night-watchman and facing a hostile Australian pace attack under lights.

"Jasprit is an extremely competitive cricketer. He likes to take battle on ever since he has come into Test cricket. He puts earnest effort into how much he bats at nets, from being 11, he scored 50, so it was a -brainer. Even little phase he batted, he infused a lot of confidence," he said. 

Asked if he felt bowling to Marnus Labuchagne was like bowling to Smith, he replied that re are striking similarities but youngster can't be termed an exact carbon copy of former Australian captain.

He said, "He idolises Steve Smith so he actually does so many things like Smith does. I think re is a difference in how y bat. t an identical twin copy but it's natural. In early 2000, everyone wanted to be Sachin Tendulkar. In future, everyone would want to be Virat Kohli." 

(Photo Credit: Twitter/BCCI)