Australia vs India 2018-19, 1st Test: 5 talking points from Day 2

#3. Ashwin's skill against left-handed batsmen

Ashiwn was brilliant with the ball, claiming 3 wickets on Day 2

While the pacers tried to work their way around some dogged resistance by the likes of Khawaja and Handscomb, Ashwin's off-spin at the other end gave the Indians a deserving reward for all the effort - wickets.

Ashwin removed all the three important left-handed batsmen on Day 2 - Khawaja, Marcus Harris and Shaun Marsh. With that, his wickets tally increased to 339 - 179 of southpaws and 160 of right-handers.

Ashwin's wily variations and ample spin made the batsmen resort to defensive methods, which initially provided the pacers ample breathing space. The fast men extracting some purchase out of the track then started making Ashwin look like the "hit-worthy" bowler, and the Aussie lefties fell for the bait hook, line and sinker.

All three of them returned to the hut while trying to go for their shots against Ashwin. As the pitch wears out further on Days 3, 4 and 5, Ashwin's (and also Nathan Lyon's) spin capabilities could become a deciding factor in the game.