IND VS BAN 2022: In the ongoing first test against Bangladesh at Chattogram, veteran cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has transcended Ravindra Jadeja’s feat of second-most half-centuries at number 8 position in test match cricket.
After flipping the right way and electing to bat first on a dusty Chattogram surface, the KL Rahul-led side registered 404/10 in the first innings.
The Indian openers KL Rahul and Shubman Gill orchestrated a 41-run opening partnership before Taijul Islam dismissed right-handed Shubman Gill for 20 (40) and attained the first breakthrough for the home side.
Following the wicket of Gill, the Indian Cricket Team went astray by evaporating three wickets in quick succession. Captain KL Rahul 22 (54), and Virat Kohli, 1(5) were the initial victims followed by the massive scalp of Rishabh Pant 46(45), who demonstrated his pyrotechnics for a fleeting moment.
Before Ravichandran Ashwin walked out to bat, the right-handed duo of Shreyas Iyer and Cheteshwar Pujara instrumented a highlighting partnership of 149 runs. At the stroke of stumps on Day 1, the right-handed Pujara was dismissed for a dogged 90(203) and laid the foundation for the lower-middle order.
IND VS BAN 2022: Ravichandran Ashwin Secures 9th Half-century at Number 8 and Climbs Over Ravindra Jadeja’s Feat
When India was placed at 278/6, Ashwin took his stance at No. 8. The Tamil-Nadu cricketer accompanied Shreyas Iyer at the conclusion of Day 1 and led India’s push when Iyer 86(192) departed in the first session on Day 2.
Nonetheless, the right-handed Ravichandran Ashwin joined forces with southpaw Kuldeep Yadav and yet again steadied the Indian ship.
Promptly after, the 36-year-old Ravichandran Ashwin raised his bat after orchestrating his 13th test half-century and 9th while batting number 8 in test cricket.
The left-handed Ravindra Jadeja, who was ruled out from the Bangladesh series owing to an injury, has previously whacked 8 half-centuries while performing at number 6 or below.
However, with today’s half-century, Ravichandran Ashwin cruises over his spin comrade, and now the distinguished Indian all-rounder Kapil Dev is the only batter ahead of him.
The 1983 World Cup-winning skipper Kapil Dev has stitched 13 half-centuries batting number 6 or below in his 131-match test career.
Ravichandran Ashwin sewed up a well-constructed 58(113), including 2 fours and 2 maximums, and clustered with Kuldeep Yadav 40 (114) to take India past the 400-run mark threshold in the first against Bangladesh at Chattogram.
