"He walked the talk when the moaners were going on saying 'you can't bat here"- Sunil Gavaskar slams English media citing Ashwin's 1st Test century
Former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar used Ravichandran Ashwin's century in the first Bangladesh to take a dig at the English Media and their criticism of Indian pitches. Gavaskar was commentating during the first day of the ongoing second Test against Bangladesh when the highlights of Ashwin's brilliant 113 in the first Test was being shown.
On a challenging Chepauk track, the 38-year-old dug India out of trouble from 144/6 to 376 with his batting heroics.
While praising Ashwin, Gavaskar recalled the English Media criticizing the Chennai wicket during their 2021 tour and said:
"He (R Ashwin) actually said in the press conference that you can get a hundred if you apply yourself. So he walked the talk when the moaners were going on saying 'you can't bat here'. Saying and doing all the things like crybabies, typical English media stuff, where they only talk about Indian pitches."
It was Ashwin's sixth Test century, leveling him with the legendary MS Dhoni and taking him past established greats of the past like Arjuna Ranatunga.
The champion all-rounder then followed his batting heroics with a six-wicket haul in the second innings as India completed a massive 280-run victory.
"One of the finest in Indian cricket" - Sunil Gavaskar on Ravichandran Ashwin's 1st Test century
Sunil Gavaskar ranked Ravichandran Ashwin's century in the first Bangladesh as one of the finest in Indian cricket, considering the nature of the pitch and the situation the team was in.
The Tamil Nadu all-rounder added a game-changing 199-run partnership for the seventh wicket with his spin-bowling partner Ravindra Jadeja.
In his most recent column for Sportstar, Gavaskar wrote:
"The hundred Ashwin got against Bangladesh in the first Test must rank as one of the finest in Indian cricket not just because it came at a time when India were in trouble but also for the fluency and sheer elegance of stroke-making. The pitch had a fair bit of bounce. It wasn’t easy to bat on as the Bangladesh pacers were bowling splendidly too. That’s why it was such a terrific century.
He added:
"Ravindra Jadeja played the ideal foil, and he also, like Ashwin, is another player who puts his hand up every time India is in trouble. The team is fortunate to have these two, and they lend such a balance to not just the bowling attack but also the batting."
With their brilliant all-round showing in the opening Bangladesh Test, Ashwin and Jadeja cemented their spots in the top two of the latest ICC Test all-rounder rankings.