“From despair to domination” - Cricket fraternity reacts to Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin's 195* run partnership in IND vs BAN 1st Test 2024
Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin came to the rescue of Team India on Day 1 of their first Test against Bangladesh on Thursday, September 19, at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
After being put into bat, the hosts struggled early, losing Rohit Sharma (6), Shubman Gill (0), and Virat Kohli (6) in the first 10 overs. Though Yashasvi Jaiswal (56) and Rishabh Pant (39) made solid contributions, India found themselves in a precarious position at 144/6 after 42.2 overs.
Local hero Ravichandran Ashwin and Chennai Super Kings star Ravindra Jadeja then took control, forming an unbeaten partnership of 195 runs off 227 balls.
By stumps on Day 1, India reached 339/6. Ashwin scored a remarkable century, remaining not out at 102 off 112 balls, while Jadeja finished the day on 86 off 117 balls, poised for his own hundred on Day 2.
As the pair guided India from a challenging position to a commanding performance, the cricket fraternity praised their efforts on social media. Here are some of the reactions:
“From despair to domination! @ashwinravi99 and imjadeja’s knocks have turned the tide for India once again. This all-round brilliance is invaluable. Super partnership boys," wrote Sachin Tendulkar.
“What a partnership between Ashwin and Jadeja. Ashwin getting his 6th Test hundred is a very special achievement,” wrote Virender Sehwag.
“Bat or ball Ashwin-Jadeja is India’s most-reliable partnership, they are the ones who make so strong at home,” posted Mohammad Kaif.
“The batting depth India has at numbers 7 and 8 is truly a blessing. Just when the opposing team thinks they’ve taken out the top order, they’re met with the resilience of Jadeja and Ashwin. Outstanding fightback from both of them, wrote Irfan Pathan.
India will be looking to get past the 400-run mark on Day 2.
“Always a special feeling to play in front of the home crowd” - Ravichandran Ashwin reflects on his brilliant knock
Ravichandran Ashwin was the standout performer for India on Day 1 of the Test match against Bangladesh. The 38-year-old came in at No. 8 and scored a brilliant century.
While speaking to the broadcaster after stumps, the veteran off-spinner said he enjoyed playing in front of his home crowd and tried to play as Rishabh Pant does. He said:
“Always a special feeling to play in front of the home crowd. This is a ground I completely love to play cricket in. It's given me a lot of wonderful memories. Worked on a few things and on a surface like this with a bit of spice, if you're going after the ball, might as well go after it really hard like Rishabh does.”
“He (Jadeja) was of real help, there was a point in time where I was really sweating and getting a bit tired, Jaddu noticed it quickly and guided me through that phase. Jaddu has been one of our best batters for our team in the last few years," Ashwin added.
This was Ashwin’s sixth Test ton and second on his home ground in Chennai.