CHENNAI: Years from now, when we look back at the India vs Bangladesh Test at MA Chidambaram Stadium in September 2024, it will be remembered as the ‘Ashwin Test.’ From the second session on Day 1 until the match’s conclusion on the fourth morning, Ravichandran Ashwin was at the center of it all.
Ashwin’s brilliance began with a sublime century on Day 1, followed by a stunning bowling performance, taking 6-88, which earned him his 37th five-wicket haul—equaling the legendary Shane Warne. He was awarded yet another Man of the Match honor. With his family, former coaches, and friends in the stands, the occasion seemed perfect for the 38-year-old Ashwin to announce his final appearance at his beloved home ground. However, he kept the door open, stating, “Who knows if this was my Chepauk swansong in Tests? But if it was, what a swansong it was.”
India’s dominant performance culminated in a 280-run victory, putting them 1-0 up in the series. As the team prepared to head to Kanpur, where they aimed to secure the second of four wins needed to qualify for the World Test Championship Final, Ashwin’s impact was unmistakable.
On Day 4, with Bangladesh needing a miracle to avoid defeat, captain Rohit Sharma delayed bringing Ashwin and his spin partner, Ravindra Jadeja, into the attack. Instead, he allowed the Bangladeshi batters, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Shakib Al Hasan, to settle in against the fast bowlers. Once Ashwin and Jadeja entered the fray, the game quickly shifted in India’s favor.
Ashwin, bowling around the wicket with a 5-4 offside field to the left-hander, opted for a middle-stump line rather than his usual offside approach. This removed the cut and reverse sweep options for the batters, and Ashwin’s mastery over spin came into play. His first breakthrough came when he induced an inside edge from Shakib, and the forward short-leg fielder took a diving catch to his left.
From that point, Ashwin and Jadeja applied relentless pressure. Litton Das, Bangladesh’s recent star in Pakistan, struggled against the duo. Jadeja dismissed him with a delivery that pitched on middle and turned slightly, with the edge finding its way to slip.
The only question left was whether Bangladesh captain Shanto, who had fought valiantly for his 82, could reach his century. However, with wickets falling around him, Shanto attempted a big shot off Jadeja, only to lose his wicket.
While Jadeja was on the verge of claiming his 300th Test wicket, he fell just short, finishing with 299 after bowling out the last man, Hasan Mahmud, just before lunch. Fittingly, Jadeja had played a crucial role in India’s win, contributing 86 runs alongside Ashwin and taking key wickets in both innings.
Ashwin praised his spin partner, saying, “Jadeja is such an inspirational story…My admiration for Jadeja keeps on increasing as I realize I will never be able to beat him.” The camaraderie between the two, along with their performances, showcased a united and dominant Indian side, leaving fans in awe of Ashwin’s magic at Chepauk.
