Sun Sep 22 17:50:41 UTC 2024: ## Ashwin Equally Important as Kohli and Rohit: Tamim Iqbal
**Chennai, India:** Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal has lauded Ravichandran Ashwin, stating that the off-spinner is as crucial to India’s Test success as the likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Tamim, speaking after India’s dominant 280-run victory over Bangladesh in the first Test at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, highlighted Ashwin’s all-round contribution. Ashwin, who was named Player of the Match, scored a crucial century in the first innings and took a six-wicket haul in the second.
“He [Ashwin] was batting like a proper batter,” Tamim said on Jio Cinema. “We only talk about when they [Kohli and Rohit] do well, when they get 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.”
India’s win was built on a strong performance from their batting and bowling unit. After a shaky start, Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja stitched a crucial partnership in the first innings, while Gill and Pant scored centuries in the second. The Indian bowlers, led by Ashwin and Bumrah, dismantled the Bangladesh batting lineup on both occasions.
The victory sees India take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. The second Test will be played in Dhaka from December 10.
First Piper 