IND vs NZ | Twitter reacts to Ashwin lashing out in frustration after Latham survives DRS by barest of margins

Yesterday at 1:51 PM

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Tough times can break even the strongest characters, especially when the adversity facing them is of an unbeknownst nature. Ravichandran Ashwin found himself in one such predicament in Pune on Friday after India once again conceded a first innings lead before close calls further soured the offie.

India's long standing red ball dominance at home continued be challenged by New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium on Day 2 of the second Test as the visitors bowled out the Men in Blue for a paltry 156 to take a 103-run first innings lead. Walking out to bat again after Lunch, the Kiwis further piled on the pressure by stroking three early boundaries off Ravichandran Ashwin to take the score to 23/0 when the off-spinner returned for his third over. The veteran responded with aplomb, conceding just one and nearly scalping a wicket were it not for the umpire's call mechanism getting in his way.

Ashwin was up against Tom Latham on the fifth ball of the over when he delivered a slow good length delivery to follow up the faster one that went on with the arm while angling into the stumps. The opener went down low for a sweep but was deceived by the variation and the red cherry struck his front pad, evoking a loud appeal from the entire Indian contingent. Even though the umpire shook his head, Ashwin was convinced the ball had hit Latham in line while Pant argued the opposite. Eventually, skipper Rohit Sharma decided to back his bowler and went upstairs, only for the replay to show the SG had just struck Latham along the line of the off-stump, which meant an umpire's call verdict and the consequent survival of the southpaw.

Ashwin could not believe his luck as he walked back to his mark and made a frustrated remark to the umpire with his face scrunched up while his teammates and Twitterati did not react much differently.

Almost!!

— deca coorn (@DCoorn74987)

Saved

Latham saved by umpire's call against Ashwin

Conway given out against Sundar, there was an edge.

Balancing 🤣
— ∆ 🏏 (@CaughtAtGully)

True

Washy picking up where he left off, but Ashwin & Jadeja have to come to the party too, to rescue this for India.
— Sahil Oberoi (@SahilOberoi1)

Not much

Why Ashwin and Sundar not doing much the extra bounce in wicket side
— Praveen Kumar (@Praveen17030979)

Finished

Kohli - Finished

Jadeja - Finished

Ashwin - Finished

Pujara is still so much better than Kohli.

Should have been included in the squad.
— BeckInDaGame (@in_beck96643)

Below average

Ashwin has been below average this series. How often do we see him not getting wickets at home?
— Omkar🏏🇮🇳 (@Omkar_Acharya12)

Retire

Time for Rohit , Jadeja ,Ashwin to retire from test as well .Virat should also,but ….. .Pant shd be the captain.Axar needs to be a permanent guy .Need a domestic monster like A Ishwaran in team who knows how to to play red ball .Also in India lord Umesh >>>> bumrah .
— Nirmal (@Nirmal__24)

Crazy

Ravi Ashwin is going for more than 5 an over! What a third grade bowler!
— Sanatani Warrior (@Hinduwarrior24)

Too quick

Ashwin is bowling too quick with the ball not spinning for him at all.

While Sundar is getting help from the wicket bowling quicker.

You've to adjust here.

Toss it up Ashwin and slow the pace down. The length has been prefect.
— Santosh Kumar (@santoshxkumar)

Poor