Ravichandran Ashwin reaches new height with Chennai Test century

Ravichandran Ashwin’s sixth Test century and his unbroken giant seventh wicket partnership with Ravindra Jadeja helped the hosts India to strongly end the first day of the Chennai Test against Bangladesh. With his latest Test hundred, Ashwin reached a new height in the Test cricket record books. 

When the 38-year-old Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin came to bat in the first innings of the Chennai Test, the hosts were struggling at 144/6 after losing two set batters, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (56) and KL Rahul (16). 

While Jadeja and Ashwin rescued India at the lower batting orders in many Tests, they have done the same in the first innings of the Chennai Test. They ended the opening day with a 195-run partnership for the unbroken seventh wicket as India scored 339/6 at the stumps. 

Jadeja scored 86 not out off 117 balls with the help of ten fours and two sixes. Meanwhile, Ashwin ended the day on 102 not out off 112 balls, with the help of ten fours and two sixes. 

SEE ALSO: Jadeja-Ashwin register India's special 7th wicket partnership

Ravichandran Ashwin records his fastest Test century, unlocks new feats

It was Ashwin’s sixth Test century, which he completed in 108 balls. It was Ashwin’s fastest Test century. His previous fastest Test century record was completing 100 runs in 117 balls against West Indies at Wankhede Stadium in 2011, which was also his first Test hundred.  Ashwin’s latest Test century was also his second Test century at Chepauk, Chennai. He scored both Test hundreds at Chennai at the no.8 batting position. The Indian right-handed batter became the fourth batter to record multiple Test centuries at the no.8 or lower batting position in a single venue. 

Players with multiple Test centuries at No.8 or lower batting positions in one venue

Second most Test centurion at no.8 or lower batting positions

It was also Ashwin’s fourth Test century at the no.8 or lower batting position. Ashwin is now the second most Test centurion at no.8 or lower batting positions, as former New Zealand cricketer Daniel Vettori has the record of five Test centuries in these batting positions.

Players with the most Test centuries at no. 8 or lower batting positions

Meanwhile, Ashwin also equalled the record for the most Test centuries at the no.8 batting position with four Test hundreds. He equalled former New Zealand cricketer Daniel Vettori’s four Test centuries record at the no.8 batting position. 

Players with the most Test centuries at no. 8 batting positions