IND vs AUS, World Cup 2023: Watch - Ashwin's dream carrom ball leaves Steve Smith, umpire awestruck in Chennai

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IND vs AUS: Those wondering why Ravichandran Ashwin was preferred as injured Axar Patel's replacement for the World Cup 2023 got their answers with the brilliant carrom ball the 37-year-old bowled to Steve Smith on Sunday.

On the first ball of the 18th over in India vs Australia World Cup 2023 Match 5, the off-spinner bowled the 'carrom ball of the century' to leave Steve Smith stunned. Not only Smith, umpire Richard Kettleborough was also left awestruck. The replays showed also adoring his own delivery like the rest of the world.

The delivery spun away beautifully after landing on the off as Steve Smith lunged forward to defend the delivery on the front foot. The delivery soon became a point of discussion among fans. Here is how they reacted.

Ashwin, who made a comeback to the Indian ODI side after a gap of 18 months, was picked in India's World Cup squad just a week ahead of the World Cup 2023.

The local boy is playing an ODI match on his home turf - MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk) - after a gap of almost 11 years. Prithi Narayanan, the wife of the 37-year-old, arrived at the ground to support her husband.

India have been asked to bowl first in their first match of the World Cup 2023. The Rohit Sharma-led team with is playing with three spinners - Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra. Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya are the three pacers for India in the match against five-time champions Australia.