India secured a commanding victory over Bangladesh in the first Test in Chennai, winning by 280 runs. The star of the match was none other than Ravichandran Ashwin, who once again proved why he’s regarded as one of India’s finest cricketers. His outstanding performance with both bat and ball not only earned him the Player of the Match award but also saw him break several records along the way. This was a special win for Ashwin, who has a deep connection with the city of Chennai, his hometown.
Ashwin’s Emotional Connection to Chennai
Ashwin’s post-match comments reflected the joy of playing on home soil. He spoke fondly about Chennai, where he grew up watching cricket from the stands, and how playing at the MA Chidambaram Stadium always feels special. His knowledge of the pitch and conditions worked in his favor, as he delivered a match-winning performance, scoring a century and taking six crucial wickets.
A Century and Five Wickets – A Rare Feat
In a remarkable display of all-round skill, Ashwin scored a century and took five wickets in the same match. This was the second time in three years that Ashwin achieved this feat in Chennai. He previously accomplished it against England in 2021. Ashwin is now the first player to score a century and take five or more wickets at a single venue twice.
Breaking a 69-Year-Old Record
One of Ashwin’s biggest achievements in the match was breaking a 69-year-old record. By taking six wickets in Bangladesh’s second innings, Ashwin became the oldest Indian bowler to take five or more wickets in an innings. At 38 years and 2 days old, he surpassed Vinoo Mankad’s record, who had taken five wickets in 1955 against Pakistan at the age of 37 years and 307 days.
Equaling Shane Warne’s Milestone
Ashwin’s six-wicket haul also brought him level with the legendary Shane Warne in terms of taking five wickets in an innings 37 times. Only Muttiah Muralitharan has achieved this feat more times, putting Ashwin among the greats of the game.
Most Wickets in the Fourth Innings for India
With his performance in this Test, Ashwin became India’s leading wicket-taker in the fourth innings of Test matches. He overtook Anil Kumble, who had held the record with 94 wickets. Ashwin now has 99 fourth-innings wickets, a testament to his ability to perform under pressure when the match is on the line.
First Player to Achieve 50 Runs and Five Wickets 20 Times
Ashwin has now become the first cricketer to score 50-plus runs in an innings more than 20 times and take five or more wickets in an innings over 30 times. This consistency in both departments makes him one of the most valuable all-rounders in Test cricket.
Second Only to Ian Botham
Ashwin’s all-round heroics have drawn comparisons to the great Ian Botham. He is now the second player, after Botham, to have scored a century and taken five wickets in a Test match four or more times. Botham managed this feat five times in his career, while Ashwin has done it four times, highlighting his ability to influence games with both bat and ball.
Third for Most Five-Wicket Hauls in the Second Innings
Ashwin now sits third on the all-time list for the most five-wicket hauls in the second innings of Test matches, achieving the feat 20 times. This places him in elite company and underscores his match-winning capabilities.
10th Player of the Match Award
With his stellar performance in the Chennai Test, Ashwin earned his 10th Player of the Match award in Test cricket. His contributions with both bat and ball were instrumental in India’s comprehensive victory over Bangladesh.
Ashwin’s ability to perform in all aspects of the game, combined with his knowledge of Chennai’s conditions, made him the undisputed hero of the match. His records, both old and new, only add to his legacy as one of India’s greatest cricketers.
