Ravichandran Ashwin revealed that his aggressive century on Day 1 of India’s Chennai Test against Bangladesh was inspired by none other than his teammate, Rishabh Pant. Adopting a fearless approach, Ashwin’s unbeaten 102 off just 112 balls, alongside Ravindra Jadeja’s resilient half-century, lifted India from a precarious position after a top-order collapse.
Reflecting on his performance at stumps, Ashwin shared that he consciously decided to take a page out of Pant’s playbook, embracing an attacking mindset against the Bangladeshi bowlers. “Watching Rishabh’s fearless attitude at the crease, I thought I’d go hard like he does. It’s an old-school Chennai surface with bounce and carry, and I enjoyed myself today,” Ashwin said. His strategy paid off, as he and Jadeja built a crucial 195-run partnership that swung the momentum in India’s favor.
Despite early setbacks, with key players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and KL Rahul failing to make a significant impact, Ashwin and Jadeja’s counterattack stabilized the innings. Yashasvi Jaiswal and the returning Rishabh Pant also contributed to steadying India’s position, helping the team recover to 144 after an early slump.
By the close of play, India had reached a solid 339/6, with Ashwin and Jadeja still at the crease. As Day 2 looms, the hosts will look to build on this strong foundation and push for a commanding total against Bangladesh. Ashwin’s seventh Test century, combined with Jadeja’s consistent support, has set the stage for India to capitalize on their recovery and take control of the match.
