"At times, you are spoilt for choices" - Aakash Chopra on Rohit Sharma not using R Ashwin in 1st hour of Day 4 of IND vs BAN 2024 1st Test
Aakash Chopra reckons Ravichandran Ashwin wasn't introduced into the attack early on the fourth day of the first Test between India and Bangladesh as Rohit Sharma had a plethora of options at his disposal. The cricketer-turned-commentator praised the off-spinner for triggering the visitors' collapse once he was given the ball.
India thrashed Bangladesh by 280 runs in Chennai on Sunday, September 22, to take a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series. Ashwin registered figures of 6/88 in 21 overs as the Bangla Tigers were bundled out for 234 in their second innings.
While reviewing the fourth day's play in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra noted that Rohit went with Ravindra Jadeja as the first-choice spinner.
"At times, you are spoilt for choices. I think that was the case with Rohit as well, that who should he go with because there were full chances of finding success whoever he went with. So he first asked Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja) to bowl an over," he observed (0:40).
The former India opener added that Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah were also tried before Ashwin provided the required breakthroughs once he was introduced.
"He made Siraj bowl a few overs and he gave overs to Bumrah as well. Everyone was bowling and he didn't make Ashwin bowl for one hour. Then when he asked Ashwin to bowl, he picked up six wickets. Jadeja wasn't going to stay behind. He too picked up wickets," Chopra stated.
Ashwin picked up three of the four Bangladesh wickets that fell on Day 3 of the Chennai Test. However, he wasn't given a bowl before Drinks on the fourth morning.
"The others also play on the same pitch but he finds a way" - Aakash Chopra on R Ashwin
![Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed Shakib Al Hasan in his first over on Day 4. [P/C: BCCI]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/09/72e79-17269995645862-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that Ravichandran Ashwin has unique wicket-taking abilities.
"Overall, Ravichandran Ashwin did an amazing job. He scored a century and picked up six wickets as well. He is just brilliant. He is not going to go wicketless and his understanding of buying wickets is par excellence. He does what others are unable to do. Let's be honest, the others also play on the same pitch but he finds a way," he said (1:10).
The reputed commentator also praised Ravindra Jadeja for playing the supporting role to perfection.
"He tosses the ball up, tempts you a little, and pulls you towards him. That's what Ravichandran Ashwin does and does it very easily. He finished with six wickets and Ravindra Jadeja also picked up three wickets for India. Jaddu's story is also similar. For how long will you keep him out of the game? Eventually he will fire and take wickets," Chopra stated.
Jadeja registered figures of 3/58 in 15.1 overs in Bangladesh's second innings. Bumrah was the only pacer to pick up a wicket in the visitors' second essay.