Ravichandran Ashwin delivered a remarkable counter-attacking century on the opening day of the first Test between India and Bangladesh, rescuing India from a precarious position in front of his home crowd in Chennai. Ravichandran Ashwin’s knock of 102 not out came in just 108 balls, steering India from 144 for 6 to an imposing 339 for 6 by the end of Day 1.
The Chennai-born off-spinner stepped up when India found themselves in trouble early on, much like he has done before.Ravichandran Ashwin’s ability to handle high-pressure situations has earned him the reputation of being India’s crisis man, particularly with the bat. His latest innings brought back memories of his match-saving partnership with Shreyas Iyer against Bangladesh in December 2022, where they pulled India out from 74 for 7 to chase down a 145-run target in Dhaka. The last time Ravichandran Ashwin played at the Chepauk Stadium, he had similarly bailed India out against England with a second-innings century, helping his team recover from 106 for 6 on a pitch that drew scrutiny for its spin-friendly nature.
This time around, Ravichandran Ashwin’s innings was characterized by aggression, reflecting the lessons he had learned from his recent stint in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL). After not featuring in international cricket since March, Ravichandran Ashwin spent time honing his batting skills in the TNPL, focusing on playing aggressive shots, especially on tricky Chennai surfaces. He was quick to attribute his performance to the hard work he had put in during the off-season, particularly during his time leading Dindigul Dragons in the TNPL. His efforts to expand his range of shots and develop a more aggressive approach paid off spectacularly, as he played with newfound flair against Bangladesh.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s last appearance in the TNPL saw him experiment with his batting, promoting himself up the order and showcasing an array of big shots, including sweeps and reverse-sweeps. His stint with Dindigul Dragons helped him unlock a more aggressive batting style, and the results were evident on Thursday as he dominated both pace and spin. His first scoring shot, a back-foot punch through the off-side, signaled his intent. He followed it up with two boundaries off Nahid Rana, one of Bangladesh’s pacers who was consistently clocking speeds of 140 kph.
Facing a bowling attack led by Bangladesh’s pacer Hasan Mahmud, who had earlier reduced India to 34 for 3 with four quick wickets, Ravichandran Ashwin and his partner Ravindra Jadeja fought back to take control of the game. Hasan, supported by Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, and spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz, capitalized on overcast conditions in the first two sessions, putting India on the back foot. However, Ravichandran Ashwin, alongside Jadeja, thwarted Bangladesh’s plans to wrap up India’s innings early.
Ravichandran Ashwin wasn’t content to merely survive at the crease—he countered the bowling with calculated aggression, even hitting veteran spinner Shakib Al Hasan for a six in his first over. Throughout his innings, Ravichandran Ashwin played with the confidence of a top-order batter, running between the wickets energetically and smashing 10 boundaries along with two sixes.
Drawing inspiration from Rishabh Pant’s aggressive batting style, Ravichandran Ashwin reflected on how Rishabh Pant’s approach influenced his innings. “On a surface like this, it’s better to go hard, like Rishabh does,” Ravichandran Ashwin said, highlighting the bounce and carry of the Chepauk pitch. He praised his partner, Jadeja, for helping him during tiring phases of his innings, particularly when the game demanded patience and precision.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s century was celebrated by the Chepauk crowd, with fans of all ages rising to their feet to cheer for the hometown hero. His innings was a masterclass in counter-attacking cricket, combining technical finesse with aggressive intent. For Ravichandran Ashwin, who may not get many more opportunities to play Test cricket at his home ground, Thursday’s knock was a fitting tribute to his legacy at the iconic venue.
As India heads into Day 2 with a strong position at 339 for 6, Ravichandran Ashwin’s century has given them the upper hand in a match that began with Bangladesh in command. His innings will be remembered as one of his finest, showcasing not only his skill with the ball but also his ever-evolving prowess as a batter.
