Ravichandran Ashwin, the versatile Indian all-rounder, achieved his sixth Test century, forming an unbroken 195-run partnership
with Ravindra Jadeja. This
impressive stand propelled India to a commanding 334 for six at the close of play on the first day of the initial Test against Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday.
Ashwin and Jadeja, the last recognised batting duo for India, rescued their team from a precarious 144 for six with aggressive and positive batting, often maintaining a scoring rate of five runs per over or more.
Jadeja remained unbeaten on 86 at the other end.
Opting to bowl first, Bangladesh had India on their haunches after a terrific opening spell from Hasan Mahmud, who accounted for Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli early on.
Mahmud also sent back Rishabh Pant for his fourth wicket before India lost a couple more quick wickets. At 144/6, the onus was on the all-rounder duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Ashwin to save India, and they did so in spectacular fashion.
Ranked No.1 and No.2 in the ICC Men's Test all-rounder rankings, Jadeja and Ashwin stitched together an unbeaten 195-run stand to take India to stumps with the score reading 339/6.
Ashwin, in top form at his home ground in Chennai, smashed his first Test century in three years to finish unbeaten on 102* at stumps on day one, with Jadeja just 14 runs away from reaching triple figures.
