“Don't use the carrom ball as much as I do in white-ball cricket” - R Ashwin on red-ball success after IND vs BAN 2024 2nd Test
Ravichandran Ashwin played a crucial role in India’s success in the two-match Test series against Bangladesh. In the two games that India played against Bangladesh, Ashwin picked up 11 wickets and scored a century at his home ground in Chennai.
When asked about his success mantra, the all-rounder said that he tries not to use the carrom ball as much as he does in the white-ball format. During the post-match presentation, where he received the Player of the Match award, Ashwin shed light on the same.
“We expect a team with such experience to make those adjustments. I don't use the carrom ball as much as I do in white-ball cricket and it's about building a spell and getting into the rhythm.”
Ashwin was phenomenal in the first Test in Chennai, where he picked up a five-wicket haul and also contributed equally with the bat, notching up a hundred and sharing a century stand with Ravindra Jadeja. Additionally, he picked up five wickets in the second game to take his tally in the series to 11.
“Proud to be part of this attack” – R Ashwin reserves high praise for India’s bowling unit
Not just Ravichandran Ashwin but every other bowler contributed equally to India’s success. The just-concluded Kanpur Test saw the bowlers being put to a tough Test as India looked to win the rain-affected match. Courtesy of the bowlers’ efforts, India bagged an emphatic win in the second Test to clinch the series 2-0.
Touching on the side's bowling performance, Ashwin said:
"Honestly, I'm glad to turn up performances for the team. A massive win for us in the context of where the WTC points table stands. I mean, I think with regards to this game, when he bowled them out after lunch, Rohit gave that talk we wanted to go for it.
"He stepped out and hit the first ball for six and he set that tone. How Jassi bowled, how Siraj and Akash bowled, you don't have to say much about Jaddu. Proud to be part of this attack.”
After the first day being called off very early due to rain, the situation remained the same on Day 2 and Day 3 as no play was possible. On Day 4, the Indian bowlers did a fantastic job by restricting Bangladesh to a low score.
After India declared their innings early, with just a 52-run lead, India’s bowling attack put the visiting side under pressure again and bowled them out for just 146 runs, setting an easy 95-run target for the hosts. India won the game by seven wickets early in the second session.