IND Vs BAN: Aakash Chopra Compares Ravichandran Ashwin With THIS Cricket Legend
Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra made an interesting comparison between Ravichandran Ashwin and the legendary VVS Laxman, citing their sheer aptitude at dealing with deliveries pitched well down the leg side with impressive control. At the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Day 1 of the first Test against Bangladesh, Ashwin demonstrated his batting abilities with an unbeaten 102 off 112 balls. His hundred and gritty 86 by Ravindra Jadeja were of significant importance in pulling India back from jaws of death after a severe early collapse.
Ravichandran Ashwin Puts Team India In Drivers Seat
India were up against it at 144/6 as Bangladesh bowlers, particularly Hasan Mahmud, went on to toss out the top three batsmen in quick succession. The Indian top order was left in tatters and Ashwin took the center stage against the Bangladeshi attack.
The pressure was mounting as Ashwin responded in a mix of controlled aggression and perhaps feeling more comfortable with the Chennai wicket, revealing the versatility and skill. Along with Jadeja, he changed the course of the match by mounting an aggressive counter-attack. He was bold in his approach, finding gaps on the leg side with ease and confidently negotiating the spinners. His strategy had not only reduced the pressure but had also returned the Indians into the fray.
Aakash Chopra Compares Ashwin With VVS Laxman
Chopra, while presenting his analysis on Jio Cinema said that Ashwin was calm and composed the way he managed to handle the deliveries on the leg side he was asked to face, equivalent to the way Laxman would get out in such conditions.
"He lets the ball travel to him, he has only the shots at his disposal when it comes to the back-foot. When it comes to his legs, he often reminds me of VVS Laxman. But today his driving skills, especially bending his knee and hitting a six against spinners... Jadeja was outstanding, but Ashwin deserves a bit more of credit for today," Chopra said.
Ashwin walked in with much lesser recent international game experience than his teammates, but he managed to play a match-saving innings amidst the pressure.
"We were really habituated to see him score with the bat, then over some time we saw a bit of a decline in his batting form. He was also demoted in the batting order. He is a very organised player. His ability to absorb pressure, it is there in the foundation of how he plays. The rest of the players have still played in competitive cricket like the T20 World Cup in the build up to this, but he had only last played in the England Tests," Chopra added.
