Watch how a flaming Ravichandran Ashwin guns down determined Kane Williamson

Ravichandran Ashwin was smart enough not to repeat his mistakes and he rightly did so.

When the New Zealand cricket team arrived in India for the Test series, the only fear rolled at the back of their heads was the spin threat. And it was palpable looking at the way, India muscled South Africa at home last year. The first Test commenced at Kanpur after with loads of promises over the surface being sporty enough. But the ball turned and once again Indian spinners wrecked havoc on a spinning track to dismantle New Zealand for 262. But there was one man who was fighting it out against the pumped Indian attack; he rode on his technique and temperament along with some serious adaptation to the conditions.

India posted 318 in their first innings with New Zealand bowlers doing a good job with the ball. New Zealand had a task in hand in overhauling India’s total with some renowned spinners to confront. Martin Guptill walked back early after Umesh Yadav’s quick, in-swinging delivery trapped him before leg. Kane Williamson stood there like a rock and was equally supported by southpaw Tom Latham. The Indian spinners who thought will have a merry were facing some serious trouble in making major inroads into New Zealand’s batting line up. In fact, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja remained wicketless at stumps on Day 2. To add to their woes, Ashwin bowled 14 overs without a wicket and the last time he took more than 84 deliveries to register his first scalp was three years back against West Indies at Kolkata.

Williamson’s precision was remarkable, he was watchful throughout the innings. He controlled his trigger movement and adjusted as per the line of the ball. He swept, nudged the ball into the gaps for singles and most importantly rotated the strike. Williamson mastered both the wizardry spinners riding on his agile hands and lightening quick footwork. He made utmost use of the crease and transformed good length deliveries into shorter one by going deep into the crease. When the ball was pitched up he got to the pitch of the ball and turn was out of equation. He made batting look easy, of course, the ride was a bit bumpy but he held on to his fort and didn’t give up. Latham’s approach was commendable, he was tested with off-spin and his getaway shot was the sweep. They silent their harshest critics with some valiant batting display, which was brimming with buoyancy and sheer determination.

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Not many would have predicted New Zealand to be a man down at stumps on Day Two but the scoreboard was real and a testament. Next morning, the duo walked out and had to restart everything. This time Ashwin was smart enough not to repeat his mistakes and he rightly did so. Latham did not manage to replicate his fortitude as Ashwin removed him on 58. First blood was drawn; a hole was drilled in the tank. Moments later, Jadeja set Ross Taylor on a duck with a flatter delivery, which angled in and held its line only to hit his pads. The finger was raised and a big hope was shattered, New Zealand were in all sorts of trouble. All hopes were on Williamson’s shoulders and he once again was expected to bail his team out of crisis.

Earlier, Ashwin in a small video from Star Sports rated Williamson for his consistency, adaptability, playing under pressure and impact in the side. He rated him quite well and Williamson certainly stood to the expectations.

Watch @ashwinravi99 rate Kane Williamson on #KentCricketLive tomorrow at 8:45 AM on Star Sports 1/HD1/3/HD3! #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/UxgzTYDXgh

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) September 23, 2016

Williamson was on 75 and with the ball was charged Ashwin, the ball was turning and it was clearly evident. But looking at how Williamson fared in the innings so far, it needed a special delivery to get rid of him. Ashwin rightly provided so. The ball, which had enough revolution was pitched way outside off stump and was back of a length, Williamson anticipated the turn but surprisingly, the red cherry drew an arc to sneak through his defence and kiss the timber. The turn took Williamson by a surprise as the batsman precisely went on to the back foot to play it on the side but the ball kept turning and brushed his pads on its way to the stumps. Williamson had no idea whatsoever as he did not even get enough time to get his willow down on time and was beaten by the turn. With this fall, India were back in command and it wouldn’t be wrong to term this delivery as the best in the game so far.

@ashwinravi99 Magical Delivery !! Look at The Turn \m/

Kane Williamson’s Wicket !! #indvsnz #Ashwin pic.twitter.com/YZQI9bBDyj

— S T R A N G 3 R (@HungryHeartt49) September 24, 2016

Williamson with a heartbreaking look made his way back to the pavilion while an ecstatic Ashwin celebrated this fall with some surprise on his face. The alarm was rung and New Zealand soon found themselves in hot water. Jadeja ripped them apart while Ashwin inflicted the silent damage as New Zealand were bowed out for an unexpected 262, giving India a lead of 56.

(Suraj Choudhari is a reporter with Criclife and CricketCountry. He is an avid follower of the game, and plays the sport at club level. He has a radical understanding about the subtle nuances and intricacies of cricket, and tries to express it through paper and pen.)