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Ravichandran Ashwin played a crucial role in India's recovery after a disastrous start in the first innings of the Test match against Bangladesh. Asked to bat first, India lost three wickets in the first session, with Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli departing cheaply. India's situation worsened, with the team struggling at 144/6. However, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja came to the rescue, playing valiant knocks to bail India out of trouble.
Ashwin played a crucial role in India's first-innings total, scoring a century and forming a valuable 199-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja. Ashwin's century came off 133 balls, including 11 fours and two sixes. Jadeja remained unbeaten on 86. After impressing with his batting, Ashwin continued to entertain fans with an unconventional celebration at the end of the second day's play. He decided to dry his clothes by spreading them on the ground, adding a touch of humor to the occasion.
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Ashwin surprised fans by emerging from the dressing room with his wet clothes, even before the spectators had left the stands. Ashwin's unusual act amused the fans, who cheered him on. One fan even jokingly suggested that Ashwin should open the innings.
Watch R Ashwin drying his clothes on ground amidst IND vs BAN 1st Test
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After the Day 2's play, Ashwin also expressed his newfound freedom from external and internal pressure. He revealed how he liberated himself from pressure imposed on him by people. Ace spinner stated that he is now focusing on playing cricket with a positive mindset. The 38-year-old emphasized that unlike in the past, he now only responds to pressure situations on the cricket field. He has learned to manage his emotions and focus on the task at hand.
“I do enjoy and embrace pressure. There’s no doubt about it. It does give you opportunities to be able to be pushed to a corner and then try and respond. But I was critical too, earlier (of himself and others), because a lot of pressure has been put on me by people. I’ve put pressure on myself,” Ashwin told reporters after the end of Day 2's play.
“The pressure I’ve always responded to – in answering someone, in a performance or in a press conference. But it’s not like that now. I want to play cricket with a smile on my face. I promised myself 4-5 years ago that I won’t respond to anyone, and I’ve been maintaining that till now,” he added.
India dominates in 1st Test, take substantial lead
India's bowling attack was dominant on Day 2, dismissing Bangladesh for a paltry 149 runs. Jasprit Bumrah led the way with four wickets, while Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, and Ravindra Jadeja each claimed two wickets. Ravichandran Ashwin, however, was unable to take any wickets in the first innings. In response, India ended the day on 81 for three, with Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant at the crease. India now has a substantial lead of 308 runs.
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