Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja Entertain Once More at Chepauk

At Lunch things were starting to get quiet. India were six down, the game was slipping away and Bangladesh were all over the Indian Team. Many opponents though have found out that the Indian batting line-up does not seemingly end that early. Touring sides have had their foot on India's throat countless of times only to see the all-rounders come in and take control of the Test. It was a similar story in Chepauk, which has seen the lower order come to the party so many times in the past. This time, it was through the help of two men, one a Chennai boy by birth and the other, and adopted son of Chennai. At 144-6, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, two of the greatest spinners from India, and incredible all-rounders, once again took India to safety as they have done so many times over the years.

Both players do not need much to bring the stadium to life with their stature in the city. They stood between Bangladesh and a chance at bundling India under 200. Bangladesh went with pace and then later brought on spin against India's greatest spin bowling pair only to consistently find the fence. Ravichandran Ashwin was quick in counter-attack. He took the bowlers on getting on the back-foot nicely. At the other end, Ravindra Jadeja, one of India's best batters in the last few years played the waiting game. He held up one end, finding gaps and pounced on the slightest of opportunities, looking very assured and hardly giving any opening. 

One of India's most consistent batters down the order, Ravindra Jadeja stuck around while Ravichandran Ashwin raced through. Ravichandran Ashwin was the aggressor in the partnership as he batted with a brisk strike-rate. he brought up his century by the end of the day, his second in his home ground in two consecutive Tests. His previous Test century at home came under similar scenarios with India in a touch of trouble, down in the series before Ravichandran Ashwin bailed India out.

The duo though, known to run through batting line-ups reminded why India is such a powerhouse at home. For the last twelve odd years it was the same duo that stepped up with the bat, allowing for an extra pacer with their batting line-up looking deeper. They countered beautifully and by the end of the day the duo were going at run a ball, comfortably taking India past 300. With the pitch wearing, India find themselves in a dominant position. In the end India, with the help of their two greatest match-winners, India went from a position of struggle to one of dominance as the Test moves on.