After the all-rounder’s outstanding performance in the first Test match against Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai last week, Tamim Iqbal likened Ravichandran Ashwin’s role in the Indian team to that of batting legends like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
India was in danger, but Ashwin saved them with a tenacious century in the opening session. In the fourth innings, he further demonstrated his dominance with the ball by finishing with outstanding 6/88. For his overall valour, the hometown hero was deservedly named Player of the Match. With six centuries in Test cricket and 522 wickets overall, Ashwin is unquestionably one of India’s true greats in the red-ball format. The 38-year-old, in Tamim’s opinion, ought to be maintained in the same division as Rohit and Kohli.
“He was batting like a legitimate batter, which was brilliant. I’m not from this country. I often hear people talk about Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, but in my opinion, Ravichandran Ashwin is just as significant. Because we only discuss their successes—their hundreds and five-six wicket hauls—when they perform well. However, they have made a huge impact to this Indian team. It’s just as huge as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma combined,” Tamim Iqbal stated on Jio Cinema.
Batting up the order in TNPL helped Ravichandran Ashwin: Rohit Sharma
India defeated the opposition by 280 runs in the first Test, and Rohit gave Ashwin a lot of credit for his ability to step up when the team needs him, whether it be with the ball or the bat. The captain of India further stated that Ashwin’s incredible hit against the Tigers was aided by the batting practise he had this season while playing at the top of the order for his Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) team, Dindigul Dragons.
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“He’s the right man to answer what he does, and he’s next in line to speak with you. Whether it’s with the bat or the ball, he’s always there for us when we look up to him. I’m not sure if I should say anything here, but what he does for this team will be sufficient. It’s always so amazing to watch him come out and do the job. He’s always involved in the game. After playing the IPL, which was his last tournament, he enjoyed playing the TNPL. We saw him bat up the order, and that’s what made him bat the way he did as well, Rohit said.