'He is as big as Virat Kohli...': Bangladesh veteran's ultimate praise for India's match-winner in Chennai Test

Former Bangladesh skipper Tamim Iqbal has exuded his admiration for Ravichandran Ashwin's significant contributions to the Indian cricket team following Rohit Sharma's brigade's emphatic win in the Chennai Test on Sunday, September 22. He believes that Ashwin's impact is on par with India's superstars like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Ashwin's recent performance in the first Test against Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai was nothing short of exceptional. In the first innings, he played a crucial role in rescuing India from a precarious position at 144/6. His brilliant century (113 off 133) helped India reach a respectable total of 376.

In the second innings, Ashwin continued his dominance by picking up 6/88, restricting Bangladesh to 234 and ultimately securing India a comfortable 280-run victory. Ashwin's all-round brilliance has undoubtedly earned him widespread recognition and admiration.

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Tamim Iqbal all praise for R Ashwin after heroics in Chennai Test

Following his impressive performance, Iqbal praised Ashwin, stating that he is just as valuable to the Indian team as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

“That was brilliant what he did, he was batting like a proper batter. I come from a different country. What I always hear is Virat Kohlis and Rohit Sharmas but Ravichandran Ashwin is equally important in my eyes. Because we only talk about when they do well, when they get the hundreds, they get five six wickets. But their contribution to this Indian team is immense. It’s as big as Rohit as big as Virat Kohli,” said Tamim Iqbal on Jio Cinema.

 

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Ashwin's impressive performance in the match marked his 37th five-wicket haul in Test cricket. This achievement brought him on par with the legendary Shane Warne, placing him as the joint second-highest wicket-taker in the history of Test cricket.

 

R Ashwin, player of match and man of the hour 

 

Ashwin's stellar performance in the match not only secured India a victory but also earned him his tenth Player of the Match award in Test cricket.

During the match, he surpassed the legendary West Indies fast bowler Courtney Walsh in the list of leading wicket-takers in Test cricket. With 522 scalps from 101 matches, Ashwin climbed to the eighth spot in this prestigious list. This was the fourth time in his career that Ashwin achieved the remarkable feat of scoring a century and picking a five-wicket haul in the same Test match. Only the former England all-rounder Sir Ian Botham has accomplished this feat more often, with five instances. Ashwin's outstanding performance at his homeground not only earned him his second consecutive Player of the Match award but also solidified his position as one of the most successful all-rounders in the history of Test cricket.

 

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