Chennai Test: R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma banter highlights post-match celebrations

R Ashwin and captain Rohit Sharma were all smiles and in a playful mood after India secured a 280-run victory in the first Test of a two-match series in Chennai on Sunday. During his post-match interview with presenter Harsha Bhogle, Ashwin was eager to wrap up quickly, aiming to keep his conversation shorter than Rohit’s. The off-spinner shared that Rohit had challenged him to keep his chat brief, and Ashwin was delighted to have succeeded.
R Ashwin won the Player of the Match for the 10th time in his decorated Test career and called it a ‘birthday gift’ to himself. The off-spinner turned 38 earlier on September 17, two days before the start of the Chennai Test.
Chennai Test, Day 4: Highlights | Report
“He updated me saying that we would have a long chat. He is waiting to see how long this will go on for. I am sure he has put the timer on. Now it’s shorter than his (chat),” Ashwin said even as the TV cameras panned towards Rohit Sharma, who burst into laughter.
Rohit also heaped rich praise on Ashwin and told Bhogle that it would be fitting the off-spinner himself spoke about the heroics in the Chennai Test.
Ashwin hit a hundred and took a five-wicket haul in a Test match for the fourth time in his career. He joined hands with Ravindra Jadeja to steer India out of trouble on Day 1. Bangladesh bowlers dominated the first two sessions in overcast conditions and had India, reeling at 144 for 6. Ashwin and Jadeja stitched a 199-run stand for the seventh wicket to help India post 376 in the first innings.
India bundled out Bangladesh for 149 in their first innings and scored 287 for 4 before declaring their second innings and setting a target of 515 runs. Ashwin then shone with the ball in the final innings, picking up his 37th five-wicket haul and ending up with six wickets.
Reflecting on his all-round heroics, Ashwin said he has successfully learned the art of compartmentalising his thought process for batting and bowling in the middle. Ashwin notched up his sixth Test hundred and followed it up with a five-wicket haul which came in not-so-friendly conditions for spin-bowling in Chennai.
“It was a special innings, didn’t sink in till day 2. I make a living by bowling, so bowling comes first. I think like a bowler naturally but have focused my thoughts with batting. The compartmentalisation is work in progress,” he added.
Ashwin took his tally to 522 wickets and is now only eight behind Nathan Lyon in the list of most wickets in Tests. Ashwin will be keen on continuing his good run when India and Bangladesh meet in the second Test in Kanpur on September 27.