Gautam Gambhir shocked as Ashwin hits Bangladesh's fastest bowler to the boundary

Ravichandran Ashwin is a true cricketing legend, firmly establishing himself in an exclusive group of only nine cricketers who have taken more than 500 Test wickets. What sets Ashwin apart is not just his incredible bowling prowess, but also his impressive batting skills. He is the only cricketer in this elite group to have scored more than two centuries in Test matches, boasting an impressive total of six centuries under his belt. In addition to his remarkable batting achievements, Ashwin is also only the third cricketer, after Shane Warne and Stuart Broad, to have scored over 3000 Test runs while also taking 500 Test wickets. When it comes to Test batting averages, Ashwin stands head and shoulders above his peers, showcasing his incredible all-round ability on the cricket field. Ashwin's incredible talent and versatility truly make him a force to be reckoned with in the world of cricket.

Ashwin has a Test batting average of 26.26 - the highest among all cricketers in that 500-Test wicket bracket. In fact, there is no one on that list who averages more than 20 with the bat. The next best is Stuart Broad, who averaged 18.03.

Ashwin is rare. If the stats weren't enough, on Day 1 of the India vs Bangladesh first Test in Chennai, Ashwin showed exactly why is regarded as one of the biggest matchwinners of India. Waking in to bat at No.8 when India were tottering at 144/6 after losing set batters Yashasvi Jaiswal (56) and KL Rahul (16) at the same score, Ashwin did not put a foot wrong in a record partnership for the 7th wicket with Ravindra Jadeja.

The unbeaten 195-run partnership between Ashwin and Jadeja took India to 339/6 at stumps on Day 1. Ashwin was unbeaten on 102 off 112 balls, while Jadeja was firmly placed at 86 off 117 balls.

Ashwin's strokeplay stuns India coach Gambhir

Ashwin was in sublime touch the moment he walked out to bat on Thursday. The half-centuries that he got while playing for the Dindigul Dragons in the TNPL (T20 league) at the same venue must have done is confidence a world of good. It showed in how he handled Bangladesh pacers Nahid Rana, Hasan Mahmud and Taskin Ahmed.

Ashwin hit 10 fours and two sixes in his breathtaking knock, but one particular shot he played off Nahid Rana, easily the quickest of the Bangladesh pacers, got everyone talking.

It was the last ball of the 44th over. Nahid Rana dropped it short and wide, and Ashwin rocked onto the backfoot and slapped the ball to the left of the point fielder for his second boundary of the day. The balance, power, and execution were so perfect that it prompted a spontaneous reaction from India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, who was a great exponent of the square cut during his playing days.

Gambhir was not the only one in awe of Ashwin's strokeplay on Day 1. The India all-rounder's free-flowing batting gave thorough entertainment to the Chennai crowd.

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