Ravichandran Ashwin delivered a masterful performance on Thursday (September 19), scoring a crucial century to steer India out of deep trouble in the first Test against Bangladesh at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium. India had a rocky start after being put in to bat first, with Hasan Mahmud wreaking havoc on their top order. He dismissed key players Rohit Sharma (6), Shubman Gill (0), and Virat Kohli (6) in quick succession, reducing India to a precarious 34 for 3.
Although Yashasvi Jaiswal (56) and Rishabh Pant (39) tried to rebuild the innings, they couldn’t convert their starts into big scores. India found themselves in a challenging position at 144 for 6, staring at a potential collapse. That’s when Ravichandran Ashwin, along with Ravindra Jadeja, stepped up to the occasion.
The pair stitched together an invaluable unbeaten partnership of 195 runs, bringing India back into the contest. By the end of day one, India had moved to a more comfortable 339 for 6. Ashwin remained not out on 102 off 112 balls, while Jadeja held firm at 86 off 117 deliveries.
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Ravichandran Ashwin reached his century in the 78th over, taking a single off Shakib Al Hasan. His hundred was met with a standing ovation from his teammates. The likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and the rest of the Indian squad applauded as Ashwin raised his bat, acknowledging the crowd and the dressing room.
A stellar TON when the going got tough!
A round of applause for Chennai’s very own – @ashwinravi99 👏👏
LIVE – https://t.co/jV4wK7BgV2 #INDvBAN @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/j2HcyA6HAu
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 19, 2024
Ravichandran Ashwin’s batting prowess at home has been a critical asset to India’s Test dominance over the last decade. He has often played pivotal innings to save the team in tight situations. This latest century marked his fourth at home in the longest format. Before this match, Ashwin had amassed 1,824 runs in 60 home Tests, including three centuries and eight half-centuries.
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In his overall Test career, Ravichandran Ashwin now boasts six centuries and 14 half-centuries. Impressively, this was his second Test century at his home ground in Chennai, having scored a memorable 106 against England in the 2021 series.
On his home ground in Chennai, Ravichandran Ashwin rises to the occasion yet again 🌟#WTC25 | 📝 #INDvBAN: https://t.co/dbZvGHP5Qc pic.twitter.com/qEcDVMeAyU
— ICC (@ICC) September 19, 2024
LEGEND has 6 letters and so does ASHWIN. And sometimes, 6️⃣ is enough. 🐐#PlayBold #TeamIndia #INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/1E2cqcXOAN
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) September 19, 2024
Chennai’s very own, India’s most precious, ouRR Ashwin! 🇮🇳💗💯pic.twitter.com/S60Wmh2KUY
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) September 19, 2024
India showing once again why they are such a difficult team to play against in home conditions. Ashwin and Jadeja have 6000+ runs and 800+ wickets between them. Such a combination is available very very rarely in test cricket.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 19, 2024
Another Day of thanking Dhoni for dropping Harbhajan Singh for GOAT Ashwin.pic.twitter.com/KMDcd81kZg
— MAHIYANK™ (@Mahiyank_78) September 19, 2024
Hometown hero R Ashwin delivers in back-to-back innings at Chepauk 💯💯#INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/Rnqg76KA5g
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) September 19, 2024
Ashwin now has as many Test centuries as MS Dhoni 💀 pic.twitter.com/EU57j9omxy
— Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda) September 19, 2024
BUILD A STAND FOR ASHWIN IN CHEPAUK 🥶
– The Greatest ever from Tamil Nadu. pic.twitter.com/NgwOuzdHlO
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 19, 2024
Ravi Ashwin – the GOAT of Test cricket. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/eM7gSu1Unk
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 19, 2024
