Ravichandran Ashwin once again proved why he is a match-winner for India, delivering a stirring performance at his home ground in Chennai. Playing at home holds a special significance, as it brings back memories of childhood days spent watching matches from the stands, dreaming of being on the field. For Ashwin, this century against Bangladesh in the first Test was not just about the timing, coming when India was in trouble, but also about the elegance and fluency of his strokeplay. The pitch offered bounce, making batting challenging, especially against Bangladesh’s excellent pace bowlers. This made Ashwin’s century even more remarkable.
Chennai has a history of producing bouncy pitches, especially when not specifically prepared for spin. I vividly remember a 1978 match against the West Indies where Sylvester Clarke and his colleagues delivered deliveries with incredible pace and bounce. It was on this surface that Gundappa Vishwanath, a master of playing beside the line of the ball, delivered one of the finest Test centuries I have witnessed from an Indian batsman. Each of Vishy’s centuries was a treat to watch, filled with stylish strokes and visual splendor. On that surface, Vishy’s technique allowed him to play shots that left the West Indian bowlers baffled and shaking their heads in disbelief. Kapil Dev also played a crucial role, contributing useful runs and delivering a superb bowling performance that secured victory for India.
From that game, I learned that while technique is important, the ability to be innovative and adapt to challenges is equally crucial. Ashwin’s century mirrored this approach, though we only saw glimpses of it on television. Ravindra Jadeja played the perfect foil to Ashwin, both proving their mettle by stepping up whenever India needed them. These two all-rounders provide a vital balance to both the bowling attack and the batting lineup. The importance of all-rounders was further demonstrated by Rishabh Pant, who, in his comeback Test, scored a century in the second innings. Pant is becoming a popular figure amongst teammates and opponents alike, mirroring the charisma of Vishy. His return to form and his chirping behind the stumps have added an extra dose of entertainment to the game.
It was also pleasing to see Shubman Gill register another classy hundred. With Hardik Pandya not yet ready to bowl extended spells, the selectors should consider encouraging Venkatesh Iyer to bowl more in the Ranji Trophy. Despite not participating in the Duleep Trophy, Iyer is a quality player and a left-handed batter who deserves attention, along with the young Nitish Reddy. Abhimanyu Easwaran’s two centuries in the Duleep Trophy should not be overlooked either, as India will need players who can handle short-pitched bowling in Australia. It would be beneficial to have more opening batters in the squad, as they can contribute both at the top and in the middle order.
India has made a strong start to the red-ball season with a comprehensive performance against Bangladesh. While they have enjoyed a good start, they know that tougher challenges lie ahead. The tour of Australia will test their mettle, and they will need to be prepared for a more demanding experience.
