Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra drew an intriguing parallel between the great VVS Laxman and Ravichandran Ashwin, pointing out both players’ extraordinary control over deliveries that are pitched well down the leg side. Day 1 of the first Test match between India and Bangladesh took place at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Ashwin showed off his batting prowess by hitting an undefeated 102 off 112 balls. After a catastrophic early collapse, Ravindra Jadeja’s century and gritted 86 were crucial in saving India from certain doom.
Ravichandran Ashwin Puts Team India In Dominant Position
India had a daunting task at 144/6 as the bowlers from Bangladesh, especially Hasan Mahmud, quickly removed the top three batters. Ashwin assumed the lead in fending off the Bangladeshi onslaught, leaving the Indian top order in ruins.
As the pressure increased, Ashwin replied with a combination of restrained aggressiveness and maybe a sense of familiarity with the Chennai wicket, displaying his talent and variety. He and Jadeja launched a forceful counterattack that turned the tide of the game. He approached the spinners with confidence and boldness, easily identifying holes on the leg side. His plan had not only eased the strain but brought the Indians back into the fight.
Aakash Chopra Compares Ashwin With VVS Laxman
When giving his analysis on Jio Cinema, Chopra observed that Ashwin handled the deliveries on the leg side he was expected to face in a cool and collected manner, similar to how Laxman would escape in similar circumstances.
“He lets the ball travel to him, he has only the shots at his disposal when it comes to the back-foot. When it comes to his legs, he often reminds me of VVS Laxman. But today his driving skills, especially bending his knee and hitting a six against spinners… Jadeja was outstanding, but Ashwin deserves a bit more of credit for today,” Chopra said.
Despite having far less recent international game experience than his colleagues, Ashwin persevered through pressure to play a crucial innings that kept the match alive.
“We were really habituated to see him score with the bat, then over some time we saw a bit of a decline in his batting form. He was also demoted in the batting order. He is a very organised player. His ability to absorb pressure, it is there in the foundation of how he plays. The rest of the players have still played in competitive cricket like the T20 World Cup in the build up to this, but he had only last played in the England Tests,” Chopra added.
