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Xtra Time Web Desk: Ravichandran Ashwin revealed he adopted teammate Rishabh Pant's aggressive batting approach during his crucial unbeaten knock of 102 off 112 balls on Day 1 of India’s Test against Bangladesh in Chennai on September 19. His century, alongside Ravindra Jadeja's resilient half-century, helped India recover from an early top-order collapse.

After the day’s play, Ashwin shared that his strategy was inspired by Pant’s aggressive style, particularly due to the familiar bounce of the MA Chidambaram Stadium pitch. Ashwin’s recent stint in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), where he amassed 252 runs across 10 matches for Dindigul Dragons, had boosted his batting confidence.

Hometown Hundred for Ravichandran Ashwin! ???? ????#INDvBAN #JioCinema #IDFCFirstBankTestSeries pic.twitter.com/i27n47VK1v

— JioCinema (@JioCinema) September 19, 2024

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"Always special to play in front of a home crowd, it's a ground I completely love. Last time I got a hundred here, you [Ravi Shastri] were the coach. It does feel special. It helps that I'm coming off a T20 tournament and worked quite a bit on batting and playing shots. I've always been giving the ball a waft," said Ashwin, reflecting on his performance.

Acknowledging Pant’s batting approach, he further added, “On a surface like this, it's better to go hard like Rishabh does. It's an old-school Chennai surface with bounce and carry. When there is width, you can give it a tonk. I love playing when there is bounce and carry. I enjoyed myself today.”

Ashwin on Rishabh Pant pic.twitter.com/fLeIcLh67R

— PantMP4. (@indianspirit070) September 19, 2024

Ashwin also lauded Jadeja’s crucial support during their 195-run partnership, which shifted the momentum in India’s favor. “Jadeja was of real help, there was a point where I was sweating and tiring but Jaddu helped me through the phase. He's been solid and one of our best batters. He told me we don't have to convert twos into threes, which was useful for me (smiles). Overspin will fetch bounce, spinners will come into play later. There is enough for the quicks as of now. The new ball will do a bit tomorrow, we'll have to start afresh,” Ashwin added in the post-match chat.

India's star batters, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill, faltered early, but Ashwin and Jadeja steadied the ship. Alongside their contributions, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant also chipped in to help India recover after the initial slump, bringing them to 144 before Ashwin and Jadeja took over.

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IND vs BAN: Ashwin-Jadeja duo makes history, joining Kapil Dev and Kirmani in Test elite

By the close of Day 1, India had reached 339/6, with both Ashwin and Jadeja still at the crease. Ashwin’s seventh Test century and Jadeja's steady presence have set the foundation for a potentially dominant total as India aims to capitalize on their lead on Day 2.

Ashwin’s ability to adapt to the pitch’s bounce and his composed yet aggressive approach have once again showcased his value to the team, both as a bowler and a reliable middle-order batter.