Ravichandran Ashwin added one other feather to his already embellished hat because the veteran India cricketer turned the second-quickest all-rounder to attain 3000 runs and take greater than 450 wickets in Tests.
A dogged 71-run stand between Shreyas Iyer and Ashwin got here to India’s rescue because the guests snatched victory from the jaws of defeat to drag off a three-wicket win over Bangladesh to win the Test collection 2-0.
With India reeling at 74 for seven, chasing 145, Bangladesh was heading in the right direction for its first-ever Test win in opposition to its formidable neighbour earlier than Iyer (29 not out off 46) and Ashwin (42 not out off 62) denied it with an unbeaten 71-run stand off 105 balls. Ashwin was additionally concerned in a historic partnership because it was the second-highest eighth wicket alliance for an Indian pair within the fourth innings of a Test match.
During India’s first-ever Test in 1932 in opposition to England, Amar Singh and Lall Singh cast a 74-run stand at Lord’s. Former India legends Kapil Dev and L Sivaramakrishnan had been concerned in a 70-run stand for the eighth wicket in 1985 in opposition to Sri Lanka in Colombo. It was once more after 37 years that an Indian partnership prospered after the autumn of seven wickets and it occurred on Christman Day in Mirpur with Ashwin and Iyer coming into document books and serving to India full a clear sweep.
Having performed one more essential position in a pulsating Test win, Ashwin is now solely second, behind Sir Richard Hadlee, within the listing of quickest to 3000 runs and 400 wickets, in 88 Test innings. Hadlee was the quickest because the legendary former New Zealand all-rounder acquired to the landmark in 86 matches, having scored 3124 runs and picked 431 Test wickets.
While Ashwin occupies the second spot, South Africa all-rounder Shaun Pollock reached the landmark in 108 Tests whereas India’s World Cup-winning captain Dev surpassed the milestone in 131 matches.
With a pointy cricketing mind and astute data about his craft, Ashwin is unquestionably one among India’s all-time greats, not simply with the ball but additionally with the bat.
Ashwin has produced scintillating Test knocks, having scored 5 centuries and 13 half-centuries and the Sydney, together with the Mirpur heroics, actually put him as one of many best all-rounders that India has produced.
With the ball, Ashwin has at all times been criticised for not choosing wickets, particularly in Australia, England and South Africa. But, none can take away his match-winning credentials as one among India’s greatest off-spinners. Ashwin has taken 312 of his 449 Test wickets at dwelling and with seven 10-wicket hauls.
However, of late, the batter in Ashwin, which was at all times current, has reasonably shone brightly because the knocks in Sydney and Mirpur have come beneath super stress, with India’s again in opposition to the wall. Taking a measure of the scenario and enjoying to the advantage of the ball, Ashwin dropped anchor every time India was in hassle and held one finish whereas others flourished.
The all-rounder has a liking in direction of England specifically as he has scored 970 runs within the 2012-21 interval – his highest in opposition to any opposition within the 3043 runs he has scored up to now.
While the vast majority of the runs have are available in India (1622), the Tamil Nadu tweaker has his share of contributions in Australia, England, West Indies, Sri Lanka and South Africa. While he’s but to overcome the New Zealand shores with the bat, Ashwin’s Mirpur blockbuster has spiked his batting common in Bangladesh to 57.00. Ashwin additionally has the excellence of scoring a century and taking a five-wicket haul and has achieved the feat thrice – twice in opposition to West Indies (103 & 5 for 156, 113 & seven for 83) after which in opposition to England (106 & 5 for 43).
Tackling low bounce on a observe that spewed out a puff of mud when the ball landed on the tough, Ashwin, with a low stance, manoeuvred together with Iyer to maintain the buoyant Bangladesh spinners at bay.
Patience was the important thing and having a wealth of expertise beneath his belt, the all-rounder blunted the assault after which deflated the Dhaka spirits with an one-handed jab for a six and consecutive fours to seal the deal for India, but once more.