Chennai: Ravichandran Ashwin’s batting brilliance came to the fore yet again, this time on his home ground in Chennai against Bangladesh. On the first day of the Test match, Ashwin smashed an unbeaten century, taking India from a difficult position to a commanding one. His bold approach on a tricky red soil pitch not only rescued the team but also earned him accolades from the home crowd.
Ashwin’s Aggressive Mindset Pays Off
After the first day’s play, Ashwin explained the reasoning behind his attacking strategy. “This is an old Chennai pitch, with some bounce. If you come in line and play shots, you can make runs,” Ashwin shared during the post-match interview. The off-spinner, known for his sharp cricketing mind, said he had planned to be aggressive on this particular pitch, inspired by how Rishabh Pant plays.
“I’ve always liked to swing my bat outside the off-stump. I worked on a few things, and if you want to hit on this type of pitch, you need to be aggressive, just like Pant,” Ashwin added.
Inspired by Pant, Dominated the Bowling
Rishabh Pant gave India a quick start with a 39-run knock off 52 balls, but his dismissal came after playing a loose stroke. India was struggling with four wickets down for just 96 runs, but Ashwin’s entry turned the game around. Batting fearlessly, Ashwin scored an unbeaten 102 off 112 balls, forming a crucial partnership with Ravindra Jadeja, who remained not out on 86.
Ashwin attributed his century to the practice he had during the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), where he worked on his batting. “I played in the TNPL recently, which helped a lot. I’ve been working on my batting,” said Ashwin, whose century on this ground was his second. He added, “It’s always special to play here in Chennai. This ground has given me so many great memories.”
Jadeja’s Support Key in Ashwin’s Knock
Throughout his innings, Ashwin had the valuable support of Ravindra Jadeja. Ashwin acknowledged the role Jadeja played in keeping him focused and energized during the challenging moments. “Jaddu helped me a lot when I was feeling tired and sweating. He realized it immediately and guided me,” Ashwin revealed. Jadeja’s calm presence, as one of India’s best middle-order batsmen, was a key factor in maintaining the partnership.
Ashwin also shared that Jadeja’s advice to not push for unnecessary runs helped keep them in control. “Jaddu told me we don’t have to convert two runs into three, which was helpful,” Ashwin said. This advice allowed the pair to rotate strike without taking undue risks, ensuring India ended the day on a strong note.
