India vs Bangladesh: Ravichandran Ashwin credits Ravindra Jadeja for the historic ton at Chepauk

Indian spin wizards Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja came to the team’s rescue at Chepauk in the first India vs Bangladesh Test. Winning the toss, Bangladesh chose to bowl first against India. In an attack unleashed by Bangladeshi pacer Hasan Mahmud, the Indian top order walked back to the dugout in the very first session of the game. Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli, the supposed backbone of the Indian batting lineup, scripted a shocking disappointment in the match that marked India’s return to red-ball cricket after a seven-month hiatus. While Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant tried to salvage the Indian innings, the true redemption came from the bats of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

Ravichandran Ashwin opens up on his historic century in the first India vs Bangladesh Test in Chennai

On Day 1 of the ongoing first Test of the Bangladesh Tour of India at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium, Ravichandran Ashwin put on a commanding display. The 38-year-old came to the crease with India struggling at 144/6, but thanks to his unbeaten century, the hosts managed to reach 339/6 by the end of 80 overs. Ashwin remained not out on 102 from 112 balls, featuring 10 boundaries and two sixes. Bringing joy to Indian fans on an otherwise disappointing day, Ashwin hit Shakib for a four and a six in a single over. Playing at his home ground, the 37-year-old shined with the bat like never before. Eventually, Ashwin notched his sixth Test ton, his second at Chepauk.

Ravindra Jadeja also contributed significantly, remaining unbeaten on 86 from 117 deliveries. Together, Ashwin and Jadeja joined an elite group of Indian batting pairs, including Kapil Dev and Syed Kirmani, as one of the only Indian partnerships to have scored over 500 runs for the seventh wicket or lower in home Tests. This was also the second time the duo stitched together a century partnership, having previously shared a 130-run stand against Sri Lanka in Mohali.

At the conclusion of a challenging first day for the hosts, Ravichandran Ashwin opened up about his historic knock. The all-rounder credited Ravindra Jadeja, his long-time spin partner in the whites, for motivating him to keep going. Moreover, Ashwin praised Jadeja as one of the best batters for India in recent years.

"He (Jadeja) was of real help. There was a point in time where I was really sweating and getting a bit tired. Jaddu noticed it quickly and guided me through that phase. Jaddu has been one of our best batters for our team in the last few years. Him being there, pretty solid, and he was also very helpful in terms of telling me that we don't have to convert twos into threes, which was really helpful for me,” Ashwin said at the end of the first day.

The all-rounder, known for his unmatched knowledge of the sport, was quizzed about the pitch and the challenges the changing pitch behavior might pose for India on the second day. The spinner noted that the pitch was set to aid the bowlers, highlighting the considerable bounce available at the Chepauk track.

"It's a typical, old-fashioned Chennai pitch where overspin will fetch a bit of bounce. The wicket will start doing its tricks much later in the game. There's enough in it for the quicks—good carry, good bounce if we present the seam nice and hard. The new ball will do a bit. There'll be some help for the bowlers. We'll have to start afresh tomorrow. There's a bit in the pitch, it's still damp underneath, so hopefully, as it dries out, it quickens up," Ashwin explained.

Indian top-order present a dismal batting record in the first India vs Bangladesh Test

While Ashwin and Jadeja are doing their best to keep India afloat in the clash, the state of the Indian batting lineup has raised serious concerns. Virat Kohli, making his home Test return after 18 months, handed his wicket in a manner that has become increasingly familiar for the formidable batter. Kohli edged an outside-off delivery by Hasan Mahmud, disappointing Indian fans once again in the whites. Moreover, India’s T20I vice-captain Shubman Gill provided a bitter shock with his eight-ball duck on the first day. Ironically, the 25-year-old is yet to deliver a convincing innings in red-ball cricket, except for his 91-run knock at Gabba in 2021.

KL Rahul has once again attracted criticism for his Test outing against Bangladesh in Chennai. The wicket-keeper-batter, slotted into the Indian middle order, failed to perform the crucial role he was expected to on Day 1. Coming in to bat after India had lost four wickets within just 25 overs, KL Rahul was supposed to stabilize the Indian lineup and anchor the innings. However, the batter fell to Mehidy Hasan Miraj after scoring just 16 runs. Consequently, the cricketing fraternity and fans have called for Sarfaraz Khan to replace Rahul in the second Test against Bangladesh.