Chennai: Local hero Ravichandran Ashwin turned the tide in the ongoing Test match against Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, but not with his bowling, as most would have expected. Instead, Ashwin showed his prowess with the bat, scoring a memorable century on the first day of play. Batting at number eight, Ashwin not only rescued India from a precarious position but did so in style, with one particular shot—a massive six—that brought the crowd, including an elderly fan, to their feet.
India Stumbles Early, Ashwin and Jadeja to the Rescue
The day didn’t start well for India, as they struggled after being asked to bat first. Star players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill failed to get going, and India was left reeling at 34/3. A solid 62-run partnership between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant offered some recovery, but more quick wickets left India in trouble at 144/5.
Enter Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin. The experienced pair held their nerve and played with patience initially, rotating the strike to ease the pressure. As the partnership progressed, they shifted gears, with both players opening up and finding boundaries to frustrate the Bangladeshi bowlers.
Ashwin’s Slog-Sweep Six: A Moment to Remember
The turning point came in the 53rd over when Bangladesh skipper Nazmal Hasan Shanto brought in Shakib-al-Hasan, hoping to break the partnership. Ravindra Jadeja struck a boundary on the first ball, and then handed over the strike to Ashwin. What happened next brought the crowd alive. Spotting a full delivery from Shakib, Ashwin unleashed a powerful slog-sweep over mid-wicket, sending the ball flying into the stands. The shot earned loud applause from the crowd, and even an elderly woman in the stands stood up, cheering the brilliant stroke.
Ashwin wasn’t done yet. His aggressive batting continued, taking 11 runs off that over, and further punishing Shakib in the next over with another 10 runs. The Tamil Nadu player made sure to leave his mark with the bat, reminding everyone of his all-round abilities.
Ashwin’s Fastest Test Century: A Career Milestone
With his sixth Test century, Ashwin also recorded the fastest hundred of his career. Facing just 109 balls, Ashwin played with confidence and aggression, making it look easy against a bowling attack that had earlier dismantled India’s top order.
By the end of the day’s play, India stood at 339/6, with Ashwin unbeaten on 102 and Jadeja providing strong support with 86 runs off 117 balls. This remarkable partnership not only revived India’s innings but also gave the team a strong platform to build on in the following days.
Ashwin’s batting masterclass at number eight will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the highlights of the match, not just for his brilliant stroke play but also for lifting the spirits of the Chennai crowd.
