India’s veteran spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, showcased an exceptional performance during the first day of the Chennai Test, scoring a remarkable century that not only salvaged Team India from a precarious position but also etched his name in the record books. By the end of the day’s play, Ashwin was not out at 102 runs, marking the sixth century of his Test career. This innings was significant as it allowed him to equal the tally of centuries scored by former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in Test matches, each now holding six centuries to their names.
Ashwin’s Remarkable Journey in Tests
When Ashwin arrived at the crease in a challenging scenario—after the early dismissals of key players including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and KL Rahul—Team India was struggling at a meager 144 runs with six wickets down. Ashwin, batting at number eight, played a pivotal role in steering the innings back on track, exhibiting not just resilience but also an aggressive batting style that included 10 boundaries and 2 sixes.
Record-Breaking Sixes
This innings propelled Ashwin ahead of several Indian legends with regard to sixes hit in Test cricket. With his sixes against Bangladesh, he now boasts a total of 23 sixes in his Test career, surpassing notable players such as Yuvraj Singh and Rahul Dravid. Here’s a look at the sixes tally of some iconic players:
- Ravichandran Ashwin: 23 sixes
- Yuvraj Singh: 22 sixes
- Rahul Dravid: 21 sixes
- Ravi Shastri: 22 sixes
- Cheteshwar Pujara: 16 sixes
Ashwin’s Place Among the Greats
In addition to tying Dhoni’s record for Test centuries, Ashwin has positioned himself prominently among the elite class of contemporary cricketers. Currently, he is only behind Pakistan’s Babar Azam regarding the most Test centuries among active players. This underscores Ashwin’s evolving role not merely as a bowler but as a crucial batting asset for the Indian team.
Ashwin’s Impact on Indian Cricket
Apart from his batting prowess, Ashwin’s performance is a testament to his all-around skills, making significant contributions with both bat and ball. His ability to navigate tough situations and deliver match-winning performances enhances his status in cricketing history. As he continues to play, cricket enthusiasts around the world eagerly anticipate more milestones from this remarkable player.
