Ravichandran Ashwin's top 3 spells in Tests at the Chepauk Stadium, Chennai
Ravichandran Ashwin, who turned 38 on September 17, has been one of the finest spinners to grace the sport. Since making his international debut in 2010, Ashwin has scalped a total of 744 wickets in 281 games across all formats.
The veteran spinner has been exceptional in Test format, bagging 516 wickets in 100 appearances. Although Ashwin's limited-overs career is all but over, he remains a crucial player for the Indian team in the longest format. He is currently the top Indian bowler in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 with 42 scalps in eight games.
With a vital home Test series against Bangladesh beginning on Thursday (September 19) at his home ground in Chennai, Ravichandran Ashwin will look to continue his glorious form and help India maintain dominance in this WTC cycle. On that note, let's take a look at some of his best performances at the Chepauk Stadium ahead of the first Test.
#3 5/43 vs England, 2021
This Test proved to be one of the finest performances by Ravichandran Ashwin in the red-ball format. In the second Test match of England's tour to India in 2021, India batted first and posted a staggering total of 329, with Rohit Sharma slamming 161.
Ashwin dismissed Dom Sibley and Dan Lawrence to put the visitors on the back foot. His prized scalp of Ben Stokes meant England were wrapped up on 134. The talented spinner was the pick of the bowlers, as he finished with figures of 5/43.
The second innings saw Ashwin slam 106 off 148 to propel India to a total of 286 and set up a target of 482. In response, England were all-out for 164, as Axar Patel picked five wickets while Ashwin bagged three.
#2 6/61 vs England, 2021
The first game of England's tour to India in 2021 saw the visitors being at their absolute best with the bat, as they amassed 578, with Joe Root scoring a double century. Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin picked three wickets each.
Thereafter, India could only post 337, with Rishabh Pant emerging as the top batter with a 91-run knock. However, in the second innings, Ashwin turned the tables by opening the floodgates for the Indian team by dismissing both openers. He went on to finish with figures of 6/61 as England were bundled out for 178.
Chasing 420, India couldn't gain momentum throughout the innings and were all-out for 192. Virat Kohli was the top-scorer with a knock of 72.
#1 7/103 vs Australia, 2013
In Australia's tour to India in 2013, both teams met in the first Test of the four-match series. The Aussie team chose to bat and were off to a steady start with openers, Ed Cowan and David Warner. The duo were looking comfortable at the crease before Ravichandran Ashwin deceived Cowan with a flighted delivery and got him stumped to break the 64-run stand.
Ashwin went on to dismiss Warner, Philip Hughes, Shane Watson and Matthew Wade. He also took an important wicket of Moises Henriques (68), who was looking dangerous. The visitors were ultimately bowled out for 380, with Ashwin returning with figures of 7/103. Michael Clarke was his side's best batter with a 130-run knock.
MS Dhoni (224) was in fine form as India posted 572 on the board. Ashwin continued his brilliance by picking a fifer in the second innings, as Australia were bundled out for 241. The Indian team chased down a 50-run total easily and won by eight wickets.