"I wanted to go hard as Rishabh does" - Ravichandran Ashwin takes inspiration from wicketkeeper for his 102 in 1st IND vs BAN 2024 Test

Ravichandran Ashwin said he took inspiration from Rishabh Pant for his hard-hitting unbeaten 102 against Bangladesh in the Chennai Test on Thursday (September 19). Ashwin's knock, his second crossing three figures at home, included 10 fours and two sixes and came at almost a run-a-ball strike rate of 91.07.

Ashwin joined long-time partner Ravindra Jadeja at the crease when India were struggling at 144/6 in the first innings. But he led a clinical counter-attack, which Jadeja joined later, to take the sting out of Bangladesh's inspired pacers. Ashwin was especially clinical square of the wicket, displaying his home prowess.

"Always a special feeling to play in front of this crowd," Ashwin told Ravi Shastri from the broadcasters' team after the end of the day's play. "I have a lot of happy memories of playing here. When I got a last hundred here, you were the coach Ravi Bhai. I came here at the back of a T20 tournament (the Tamil Nadu Premier League, TNPL) and it helps a bit. I worked a lot on my batting and was happy it came off. Whenever the ball is there to be hit. I wanted to go hard as Rishabh does."

Ashwin was in stunning form in the TNPL with the bat, leading his side Dindigul Dragons to the title with back-to-back half-centuries.

"One of the best players in the format" - Ashwin on Jadeja

Ashwin also thanked Jadeja, who notched 86* (117), for taking the pressure off him, both with his batting and empathy for his partner.

"He is a real help," Ashwin said. "There was a time when I was sweating and struggling to go. He noticed that and carried me through. He is one of the best players in this format over the years and he sensed what the wicket was doing and played solid. He was telling me we don't have to convert the twos to threes, it was really helpful for me."

When asked about the pitch, he said it was a typical red-soil Chennai wicket with bounce for the spinners, which suits his batting. He expected the pacers to dominate with the new ball again on Day 2, with spinners coming into the game progressively towards the end.

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