Rohit Sharma credits TNPL for Ashwin's stellar century against Bangladesh
Indian cricket team captain, Rohit Sharma, has praised Ravichandran Ashwin for his outstanding performance in the first Test against Bangladesh. The match was held at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Ashwin's home ground. The Indian spinning duo of Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja led India to a decisive 280-run victory over Bangladesh on Sunday. For his remarkable all-round performance in the Chennai Test, Ashwin was named Player of the Match.
Ashwin's impressive performance in the 1st Test
Ashwin demonstrated his prowess with both bat and ball during the match. He scored a brisk 113 off just 133 deliveries, an innings that included 11 boundaries and two sixes. With the ball, he claimed six wickets in a spell of 21 overs in the last innings, conceding only 88 runs. This exceptional performance played a crucial role in India's victory over Bangladesh.
Rohit Sharma's praises Ashwin's contribution to the team
In the post-match presentation, Rohit Sharma commended Ashwin for his consistent contributions to the team. He stated, "Every time we look up to him, he's always there for us whether with the bat or ball." He further noted that Ashwin is never out of the game and highlighted his recent stint in Tamil Nadu Premier League as a factor behind his impressive batting performance against Bangladesh.
Ashwin's dream campaign in TNPL 2024
As per ESPNcricinfo, Ashwin finished TNPL 2024 as the fifth-highest run-getter with 252 runs across 10 games at 36 (50s: 3). His strike rate of 151.80 was the highest among the eight batters with 230-plus runs. Ashwin smoked 21 fours and 17 maximums. With the ball, Ashwin claimed nine wickets at 27.55. His economy of 6.92 was the fourth-best among bowlers with nine or more scalps.
Ashwin's crucial partnership with Jadeja
During the first innings, India found themselves in a precarious position at 144/6. However, Ashwin's rescue act changed the course of the game. He not only scored his sixth Test century but also shared a crucial 199-run stand with Jadeja. This partnership propelled India to a total of 376 runs, setting up a challenging target for Bangladesh.
Rohit Sharma applauds Rishabh Pant's comeback
Rohit also praised wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who returned to the longest format of the game after two years. He commended Pant's resilience during tough times and his successful comeback in IPL and World Cup. "For us, it was never about what is he going to do with the bat, we always knew what he had with the bat and with the gloves as well," Rohit stated.
