R. Ashwin, the veteran Indian all-rounder, has been enjoying a remarkable run at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Last month, he led the Dindigul Dragons to their maiden TNPL title with crucial knocks. On Thursday, he added another feather to his cap by scoring his sixth Test century, his second in as many Tests at this iconic venue.
Ashwin’s love for the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium is evident in his words. “This is a ground I completely love to play cricket in. It’s given me a lot of wonderful memories,” he said after the day’s play.
The 38-year-old attributed his success in the Test match to the work he had put in during the TNPL. “It helps that I’m coming off a T20 tournament where I worked quite a bit on batting and playing shots,” he explained.
Ashwin also highlighted the importance of playing aggressively on a surface that offers assistance to the bowlers. “On a surface like this with a bit of spice, if you’re going after the ball, you might as well go after it hard like Rishabh (Pant) does,” he said.
Ashwin’s century was a testament to his resilience and adaptability. He came to the crease with India in a spot of bother at 86/3. However, he played with patience and determination, gradually building his innings. He reached his century with a boundary off Mehidy Hasan Miraz, sparking jubilation among the home crowd.
Ashwin’s knock was not just about runs; it was also about the time he spent at the crease. He faced 233 deliveries and hit 12 fours and a six, anchoring India’s innings and giving them a solid platform to build on.
The century was also a significant milestone for Ashwin, who became only the second Indian after Kapil Dev to score six Test centuries and take 300 Test wickets. It is a testament to his all-round abilities and his status as one of the greatest cricketers of his generation.
