We all are aware of Ravichandran Ashwin’s ability to spin a web and trap the opposition, especially when playing for the Indian Cricket Team in the whites. However, very little do we speak of Ashwin rescuing the Indian Cricket Team in crucial test matches – not with the ball we are talking about, but with the bat.
Just what he proved once again in the on-going 1st test match against Bangladesh at Chennai, his all-round ability has been crucial to India’s success over all these years. Ravichandran Ashwin piled on a mammoth score of 113 off 133 deliveries and saved the Indian Cricket Team from a batting collapse. Alongside him was Ravindra Jadeja who supported him with a steady 86 run knock coming off his bat off 124 deliveries.
Here are five such instances when Ravichandran Ashwin’s batting heroics pulled India out of trouble in test cricket.
1. 106 vs England, Chennai (2021)
At a precarious 106/6 with a lead of 301 runs, Ravichandran Ashwin’s century (106 off 148) in the second innings helped India set an uphill target of 481, which England could not chase and India emerged victorious by 317 runs.
2. 124 vs West Indies, Kolkata (2013)
The score card read India 156/6 in their second innings with the West Indies posting 234 in the first innings. Ravichandran Ashwin and Rohit Sharma combined to help India amass 453. India thus went on to win by an innings and 51 runs.
3. 91* vs England, Kolkata (2012)
After posting 523, England had made it clear in their batting that it was going to be tricky for India to see them off. It was 122/6 in the second innings, and after this, it was not the best of days for Indians as Ravichandran Ashwin batted his way to an unbeaten 91 to take India to a respectable score of 247.
4. 118 vs West Indies, St. Lucia (2016)
Ravichandran Ashwin’s 118, coupled with Wriddhiman Saha’s 104, helped India recover from 87/4 to 353, after which it gained momentum for a 237-run win.
5. 72 vs England, Mohali (2016)
When India was in trouble at 156/5, Ravichandran Ashwin’s subdued 72 got India to a total of 417, which gave the team a comfortable victory over England.
These performances aptly describe the treasure bag Ravichandran Ashwin brings out under pressure and thereby proves he is more than a world-class bowler.
The Sportz Planet Desk,
Atharva Shetye
