Chennai: On the first day of the Chennai Test against Bangladesh, India’s legendary spinner Ravichandran Ashwin showcased his batting prowess by scoring a brilliant century. Finishing the day unbeaten on 102 runs, Ashwin not only helped rescue Team India from a precarious situation but also etched his name in the record books.
Batting at number eight, Ashwin came to the crease with India struggling at 144 runs for the loss of six wickets, including the top order with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill among the casualties. His sixth Test century equalled the records of former Indian captains Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, both of whom also have six Test centuries to their names.
Throughout his innings, Ashwin struck 10 fours and 2 sixes, bringing his total number of sixes in Test cricket to 23. This achievement places him ahead of notable Indian batsmen Yuvraj Singh and Rahul Dravid, who hit 22 and 21 sixes, respectively. Ashwin’s ability to clear the ropes has surpassed the records of Ravi Shastri and Cheteshwar Pujara, making him a significant figure in this aspect of the game.
Furthermore, Ashwin is now the first all-rounder in cricket history to achieve the milestone of six centuries while also claiming over 500 wickets in Test matches. Notably, he has also become the second player to score the most centuries while batting at number eight or lower, with only New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori ahead of him.
A highlight of Ashwin’s innings was his remarkable 199-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja, marking the largest partnership for the seventh wicket at Chennai’s Chepauk Stadium. Additionally, he has become the first cricketer globally to score more than 50 runs in an innings 20 times while also taking five wickets in a match on more than 30 occasions.
Ashwin’s performance not only underscores his versatility as a player but also strengthens India’s position in the match, leaving fans eager for what the rest of the Test holds.