Top 5 innings played by Ravichandran Ashwin in Test matches

The Indian Cricket Team has always been on the search of a genuine all-rounder in all forms of the game, and such has been the paucity of such players that anyone who can hold the bat and then roll his arms over has been accorded this status. However, these players can never become match-winners, and thus they struggle to cement their place in the squad either with the bat or the ball.

In such a scenario, the growth and in many ways the evolution of Ravichandran Ashwin as a batsman has come as a whiff of fresh air for people concerned with Indian cricket. Ashwin the bowler has been making giant strides over the past couple of years, but it has been the remarkable rise of Ashwin the batsman which has warmed the hearts of the fans and the team management alike.

Under coach Anil Kumble and captain Virat Kohli, the Tamil Nadu player has been promoted to the number 6 position in the batting order, and the off-spinner has responded with some aplomb. His batting form has allowed the team to go in with 5 genuine bowlers, which is a massive comfort to have in Test matches.

Here in this list, we take at 5 of the very best innings played by Ravichandran Ashwin in Test matches.

#5 56 vs South Africa, Delhi 2015

The 2014-15 South Africa tour will always be remembered for the controversy around the pitches prepared. The batsmen on the both sides struggled to get going on the rank turners dished out throughout the series. The hosts took full advantage of the conditions as the spinners came to the party and wreaked havoc.

As a result of this, India went into the final match of the series after already taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 3rd Test. However, the hosts were under pressure on the sluggish Kotla surface and were reduced to 198 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. Ajinkya Rahane was going strong, but he was not getting much support from the other end. But then things turned for the better when Ashwin joined Rahane in the centre and together the duo defied the Proteas bowling attack with some gusto.

They put on a crucial partnership of 98 runs for the 8th wicket and wrested the momentum away from South Africa. While Ajinkya Rahane stole the show with a brilliant 127, Ashwin too played his part with a defiant knock of 56 runs.

India went on to win the game late on the final day by 337 runs and thus sealed the 4-match series 3-0.

#4 103 vs West Indies, Mumbai 2011

This was a memorable match in many ways and R Ashwin was under the spotlight both with the ball and then with the bat.

West Indies batted first on a good batting surface and piled on a mammoth 590 runs in the first innings. India responded in the same vein, but then a mini middle-order collapse reduced the hosts to 331/6.

However, little did anyone know that the best innings was about to be played when R Ashwin walked out to the centre. The off-spinner started his innings in a positive manner and timed all his strokes beautifully right from the outset.

Along with Virat Kohli, he put up a partnership of 97 runs for the 7th wicket and carried on to score his maiden Test century in just 118 balls. He thus became the third Indian to score a century and take a five-wicket haul in the same Test and the first since 1962.

He was under the scanner once again as he was the batsman who stayed put and saw India through in a tense draw towards the fag end of the Test match.

#3 113 vs West Indies, Antigua 2016

This Test match was the beginning the tenure of newly appointed coach Anil Kumble. Thus,when Ashwin walked out to bat at number 6, few eyebrows were raised, but the Tamil Nadu player put all speculations to rest when he carved out a sublime century in India's first innings.

This was the very first time when he batted at number 6, but his innings had the calmness needed to be successful in the longer run. He entered the fray when India were at 236 for 4, and along with his captain Virat Kohli played with caution and India ended the day with 302 for 4.

It was on the second day when he came into his own and displayed an array of strokes, the most noteworthy of which was the back-foot punches to the seamers. He dug in and brought up his century off 237 balls. India declared their first innings at 566/8.

This proved too much for the hosts and they caved in to hand the visitors a thumping win by an innings and 92 runs.

#2 118 vs West Indies, Gros Islet 2016

Ashwin continued his rich vein of form against the West Indies in the series, both with the ball and then with the bat.

However, this innings was an effort which bailed India out of trouble and steered them to safer waters. On a lively St Lucia pitch, the visitors were put into bat and then were rocked early by the West Indies fast bowlers. At 126 for 5, India were clearly on the mat and were in a desperate need of a partnership.

They got just that when Wriddhiman Saha and Ravichandran Ashwin combined and dropped anchor for the 6th wicket. Both the players played with caution and stitched together a partnership of 213 runs.

Ashwin brought up his century and was eventually dismissed for 118, and along with Saha (104), he helped India get to a respectable first innings total of 353.

This total was enough for the visitors to force a result in the rain-curtailed match, and they won the match by 237 runs.

#1 124 vs West Indies, Kolkata 2013

This list is hogged by Ashwin's innings against the West Indies and which is a testament to the fact that the Tamil Nadu player loves the West Indies bowling attack.

And the fact that this innings was played when the chips were down made it even more special. India were in a spot of bother when they were 156 for 6 in their first innings. Rohit Sharma was making his debut and he was joined by Ravichandran Ashwin and together the pair sent the West Indies bowling attack on a real leather hunt.

Both Rohit and Ashwin got to their respective centuries and in the process stitched a partnership of 280 runs to put India firmly in the driver's seat.

West Indies were bundled out for 168 in their second innings, and thus India won the match by an innings and 51 runs.