Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 19 (ANI): Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has etched his name into cricket history by becoming the first cricketer to achieve the remarkable feat of scoring 20-plus fifty-plus scores alongside 30-plus five-wicket hauls in Test cricket.

This historic milestone was reached during the first Test against Bangladesh at Ashwin’s home ground, the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, on Thursday. His performance further cemented his status as one of the greatest all-rounders in the game.

India found itself in a precarious position at 144/6 when Ashwin took charge, launching a counter-attack with Ravindra Jadeja. Ashwin’s unbeaten 102 runs off 112 balls, embellished with 10 fours and two sixes, came at an impressive strike rate of 91.07, steering India out of trouble.

Ashwin’s career is studded with accomplishments: he has claimed 36 five-wicket hauls, ranking third among Test bowlers for this achievement. Additionally, he has scored six centuries and 14 fifties in Test matches. His unique distinction of having more than 20 fifty-plus scores combined with over 30 five-wicket hauls sets him apart in the annals of cricket.

During this match, Ashwin’s partnership with Jadeja, who scored an unbeaten 86 runs off 117 balls with 10 fours and two sixes, was crucial. Their formidable 195-run stand helped India recover and end the day at 339/6.

Bangladesh’s Hasan Mahmud was the standout bowler, wreaking havoc on India’s top order. His figures of 4/58 included key wickets like Rohit Sharma (6), Shubman Gill (0), and Virat Kohli (6).

Ashwin’s prowess at the MA Chidambaram Stadium is well-documented. In five Tests and seven innings at this venue, he has amassed 331 runs at an average of 55.16, including two centuries and a fifty. On the bowling front, he has taken 30 wickets at an average of 23.60, with best figures of 7/103, including four five-wicket hauls and one ten-wicket haul.

Ashwin joins the ranks of legendary all-rounders like Garfield Sobers (West Indies), Kapil Dev (India), Chris Cairns (New Zealand), and Ian Botham (England), who have achieved multiple five-wicket hauls and centuries at a single venue in Test cricket.

In the ongoing match, Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bowl first. India faced an early collapse, being reduced to 34/3. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal contributed a steady 56 off 118 balls with nine fours, while Rishabh Pant added a quick 39 off 52 balls with six fours. Their 62-run partnership for the fourth wicket helped stabilize India’s innings before Ashwin and Jadeja’s heroics.

The teams for this match are as follows:

Bangladesh (Playing XI): Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto(c), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das(w), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (w), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj. (ANI)

This match not only highlights Ashwin’s individual brilliance but also underscores his significant contributions to Indian cricket as both a bowler and a batsman.