In the electric atmosphere of the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Ravichandran Ashwin reminded the world why he’s one of cricket’s most versatile players, crafting a sensational hundred that turned the tide for India on Day 1 of the first Test against Bangladesh. As the sun set over Chennai, Ashwin stood tall at 102*, unbeaten and unflustered, his bat a wand that conjured stability from chaos.
Partnering with the ever-reliable Ravindra Jadeja, who himself was unbeaten on 86, Ashwin stitched together a monumental 195-run partnership that not only rescued India from the jaws of collapse but also placed them firmly in control. From 144/6, with Bangladesh’s Hasan Mahmud wreaking havoc, India soared on the wings of this duo, who balanced resilience with aggression.
For Ashwin, the century was more than just another number to his name – it was a love letter to his beloved Chepauk, the ground that has witnessed so many of his feats. “It’s always a special feeling to play in front of the home crowd,” Ashwin reflected after stumps. “This is a ground I love playing in. It’s given me a lot of wonderful memories.”
This century, his sixth in Test cricket and second at this iconic venue, echoed shades of his knock against England in 2021 when he had last raised his bat to the roaring Chennai crowd. But this time, with a seasoned 37-year-old Ashwin at the crease, the artistry in his innings shone even brighter. Having just come off a stint in the TNPL, Ashwin confessed that he had been working on his batting and was ready to take on the challenges of a pitch that had a touch of spice in it.
“It’s an old Chennai surface with a bit of bounce and carry,” he said, his eyes lighting up as he described the pitch. “The red soil allows you to play shots if you get in line and give it a bit of a tonk. It’s been a while since I worked this hard on my batting, and today it paid off.”
Ashwin’s trademark intelligence on the field was evident, but it was his partnership with Jadeja that sealed the day for India. The camaraderie between the two was palpable, and Ashwin acknowledged how Jadeja’s quiet guidance had helped him through a physically taxing phase of the innings. “There was a point where I was really sweating and getting tired, but Jaddu was there, telling me we didn’t need to convert twos into threes. It was a big help,” Ashwin chuckled, reflecting on the bond they shared.
As the day ended, the Chepauk crowd, much like Ashwin, could relish the beauty of Test cricket – a contest where patience, grit, and flair are the tools of survival. With the pitch still offering something for the seamers, Ashwin offered a glimpse into what might come next. “It’s a typical, old-fashioned Chennai pitch. The new ball will do a bit, but the wicket will start showing its tricks later. For now, we’ll start afresh tomorrow.”
For now, though, Chennai and Ashwin bask in the glow of a truly memorable hundred, one forged not just with skill but with heart, in the city he calls home.