Ravichandran Ashwin, a 38-year-old all-rounder of the Indian national cricket team, displayed his batting prowess in the first Test of the two-match series against the Bangladesh national cricket team at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai on Thursday, September 19.
India’s top order failed miserably against Bangladesh as Rohit Sharma (6), Shubman Gill (0) and Virat Kohli (6) were dismissed in 10 overs.
Then young Yashasvi Jaiswal stepped up and saved India from embarrassment by stitching 62 and 48 runs with Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul. However, no fit batsman managed to play a strong knock, so the onus fell on Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin.
Meanwhile, the veteran duo did not disappoint as Ravichandran Ashwin scored an outstanding century and Ravindra Jadeja a brilliant half-century. At the end of the day, Ashwin was unbeaten on 102 while Jadeja was not out on 86.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s ton helped him equal MS Dhoni’s record of 6 centuries in Tests. However, the most important milestone that Ashwin achieved with his performance was becoming the first cricketer in Test history to achieve the double of 20 fifty-plus scores and 30-plus five-wicket catches. In total, Ashwin has 36 fifers to his name along with 14 fifties and 6 centuries in Tests.
India’s score at the end of play on Day 1 was 339/6. When Ashwin comes out to bat on Day 2, he will be eager to add more runs to his tally to help India post a big first-innings score and put the visitors under pressure.
However, Ashwin’s main job will be to deliver a good performance with his off-spin on his home court and help India win the first match to take an advantage ahead of the second Test match, to be played in Kanpur.
Ash Anna, you nailed it, my friend. Munaf Patel praises Ravichandran Ashwin
Former Indian national cricket team player Munaf Patel took to his official handle X to praise Ravichandran Ashwin for his impressive performance on his home ground.
“Ash Anna, you nailed it mate, what an innings and scoring a century at 🏡 Ground gives you a different level of satisfaction,” Munaf Patel wrote on X.
Ash Anna, you nailed it, man. What an innings! And scoring a century at 🏡 Ground gives you a different level of satisfaction. @ashwinravi99 #ashwin #TestCricket #INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/QjQ5cwrCiP
– Munaf Patel (@munafpa99881129) September 19, 2024
Legendary Indian captain Sourav Ganguly was also impressed with the performances of Ravichandran Ashwin and Jadeja and praised the duo in X.
“Top-class innings by Ravi Ashwin @ashwinravi99 and then jadeja @imjadeja… not just the runs but the quality of batting was top class… against a very good Bangladesh attack… no wonder they beat Pakistan in Pakistan,” Sourav Ganguly said.
Top class innings from Ravi Ashwin @ashwinravi99 and then jadeja @imjadeja… not just the runs but the quality of batting was top class… against a very good Bangladesh attack… no wonder they beat Pakistan in Pakistan.
— Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) September 19, 2024
Meanwhile, Sanjay Manjrekar took to X to uniquely praise Ravichandran Ashwin’s batting ability.
“The right areas that bowlers talk about all the time are the wrong areas for Ashwin to bowl to 😁 He crushes a bowler’s morale early in the innings by punishing his standard deliveries, his good deliveries for four. What an innings!” said Sanjay Manjrekar.
The right areas that bowlers keep talking about are the wrong areas for Ashwin to bowl to 😁He crushes a bowler’s morale early in the innings by punishing his standard deliveries, his good deliveries for four. What an innings! 👏👏👏#INDvBAN
– Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) September 19, 2024
