Sun Sep 22 09:50:51 UTC 2024: ## Ashwin Shines as India Crushes Bangladesh in Chennai
**Chennai, India** – R. Ashwin’s stellar performance both with the bat and ball propelled India to a dominant 280-run victory over Bangladesh in the first Test match in Chennai.
On Day 1, Ashwin rescued India from a precarious 144/6 with a crucial century, laying the foundation for a strong first innings total. He then returned on Day 4 to dismantle the Bangladesh batting lineup, claiming a six-wicket haul and reaching the milestone of 750 international wickets.
Ashwin’s impressive figures of 6/88 in the second innings propelled him past Courtney Walsh to become the eighth highest Test wicket-taker of all time with 522 wickets. This feat also made him the fourth spinner to achieve 750 international wickets, following in the footsteps of legendary bowlers Muthiah Muralidaran, Shane Warne, and Anil Kumble.
His 37th five-wicket haul in an innings also placed him alongside Warne in second place on the list, behind Muralidaran.
Ashwin was rightfully awarded the Player of the Match for his exceptional contribution, adding another accolade to his impressive resume. He now holds the record for the most Player of the Series awards (10) for India.
The Bangladesh batting line-up, despite a defiant fifty from Najmul Hossain Shanto, crumbled under Ashwin’s relentless pressure. After a promising start, the visitors lost six wickets for just 40 runs, succumbing to India’s dominance.
“Every time I play in Chennai, it’s an amazing feeling,” Ashwin shared after the match. “I’ve watched a lot of Tests, international cricket in those stands, to do it in front of those renovated stands is great. It was an opportunity to fight, dig in deep.”
India’s resounding victory sets the stage for a thrilling series, with the second Test match set to take place in Dhaka.
First Piper 