In a massive record that might take years to be broken, India's star all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin became the first-ever cricketer to achieve the double of 20 half-centuries and 30 five-wicket hauls in Test cricket on Thursday, September 19.
He registered the achievement by reaching his sixth hundred (102* off 112) in the first Test against Bangladesh at his home ground, the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. He has 14 fifties and 36 fifers to his name too.
Ashwin is already fourth on the all-time list for five-wicket hauls in Tests. By matching it with crucial 50-plus scores over the years, he has established himself as not only one of the best, difference-making all-rounders in India but in the world.
His latest knock was a class apart. Coming in at 144/6 to huge applause from the home crowd, Ashwin unleashed a flurry of boundaries against the Bangladeshi pacers when they had their tail up. His footwork was particularly excellent when the pacers dropped it short and he could cut or pull them on both sides of the square.
Thanks to his partnership with Ravindra Jadeja, India went to Tea at 176/6 with Ashwin on 21, having already hit four boundaries. After the break, they batted even better -- the Bangladeshi bowlers must have been expecting them to take some time to get settled but they stroked more hits to the fence.
India end Day 1 strongly thanks to Ashwin and Jadeja
Ashwin reached his half-century off just 58 balls, leading the charge with Jadeja at 34 on the other end at that time. Bangladesh kept their spinners away from them for a while after Shakib al Hasan got punished by Jadeja. But skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto had to bring them back eventually as the pacers got tired and their over-rate got affected.
This allowed both the Indian all-rounders to consolidate their positions after reaching their fifties. Ashwin reached his three figures in the 78th over off just 108 deliveries. With Jadeja standing solidly at 86 (117) on the other end, India finished the day at 339/6.
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