What is Ravichandran Ashwin's Test record at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai?
Team India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is celebrating his 38th birthday on Tuesday, September 17. The seasoned bowler has an excellent record in Test cricket. In exactly 100 matches, he has claimed 516 scalps at an average of 23.75, with 36 five-fers and eight 10-wicket match hauls.
The Tamil Nadu cricketer will be seen in action on his home ground at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai when India take on Bangladesh in the first Test starting Thursday, September 19. Given that he is in his late 30s now, the Test against Bangladesh could be Ashwin's last international game on his home ground.
The experienced off-spinner was India's leading wicket-taker during the team's previous Test assignment against England earlier this year. In five matches, he claimed 26 wickets at an average of 24.80, with two five-fers. He will be keen to make a big impact against Bangladesh as well. Playing the first Test at home might give Ashwin extra motivation to do well.
Ashwin's bowling record in Tests at Chepauk
Ashwin has so far featured in four Test matches at the MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk) in Chennai. The off-spinner has claimed 30 wickets at an average of 23.60, with four five-wicket hauls and a best of 7-103.
His first Test in Chennai was against Australia in February 2013. Ashwin claimed 7-103 in the first innings and 5-95 in the second as India beat Australia by eight runs. This was the same game in which MS Dhoni scored a famous 224.
The offie's last three Test matches at Chepauk have all been against England. He managed only one wicket in 44 overs in the first innings in December 2016, giving away 151 runs. Ashwin went wicketless in the second essay even as Ravindra Jadeja bowled India to victory with figures of 7-48.
The bowler picked up nine wickets in the first Test against England in February 2021 even as the hosts lost the match 227 runs. He claimed 3-146 in the first innings and 6-61 in the second. India and England again clashed in Chennai in the second Test of the series. This time, Ashwin was the Player of the Match for claiming eight scalps and scoring a ton. He picked up 5-43 in the first innings.
Ashwin's batting record in Tests in Chennai
The 38-year-old has a decent record with the bat as well in Tests at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. In four matches, he has scored 229 runs at an average of 38.16, with one hundred and one fifty.
The handy lower-order batter contributed 67 off 149 balls in the first innings against England in Chennai in December 2016. In the first Test of the 2021 season, he scored 31 in the first innings. Ashwin then compiled a wonderful 106 off 148 balls in the second innings of the second Test. The knock featured 14 fours and a six as India won the contest by 317 runs.