'He showed how he got those' - Sunil Gavaskar makes sensational remark on R Ashwin's innings against Bangladesh

Sunil Gavaskar (Source: Twitter)

India registered a memorable win against Bangladesh at Dhaka on December 25, Monday. The eastern neighbours in the second innings were helped with wonderful contributions from Litton Das who scored 73 off 98 balls with seven fours and he was helped with handy contributions from Nurul Hasan who scored 31 off 29 balls with 2 fours and 1 six.

Taskin Ahmed also played a good innings of 31 off 46 balls with four fours. This allowed Bangladesh to get to 231 and then set India a target of 145. India were 45 -4 at the end of Day 3. India needed 100 runs to win on Day 4 and they slumped further to 74-7. It felt Bangladesh would win after Axar Patel got out.

They were not afraid of playing shots - Sunil Gavaskar

But Ravichandran Ashwin came to India’s rescue and scored a timely 42 off 62 balls with four fours and 1 six. Reacting to his fabulous innings, here is what Sunil Gavaskar said, “They both look utterly calm there. The tension must have been unbelievable out there. But somebody like Ashwin; he has been a fantastic cricketer. People only talk about his bowling, but he has got five hundreds and he showed how he got those. Terrific innings from him and a great partnership with Shreyas Iyer,” said Gavaskar as quoted by Hindustan Times.

“They took their scoring opportunities. They were not afraid of playing their shots, with Iyer in particular. That lofted shot over extra cover was brilliantly executed, forcing the bowler to bowl a little bit short,” He added. Ashwin and Shreyas Iyer scored 29 off 46 balls with four fours. The duo forged a 71-run alliance for the 8th wicket which bailed India out.

KL Rahul said that there was a lot of tension and nerves in the dressing room, but he believed and trusted the two men in the middle to wade India out of troubled waters.  He was very happy with the win and hailed Iyer and Ashwin for their amazing contributions. The duo gave India a three-wicket win and also a 2-0 whitewash against Bangladesh which has brightened India’s prospects for a place in the World Test Championship final.