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Veteran Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal believes Ravichandran Ashwin is as big a cricketing star as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The statement from Tamim came after the veteran off-spinner bowled Team India to a comprehensive win over Bangladesh on Day 4 of the opening Test in Chennai.
The 38-year-old was outstanding during the first home Test of the season as his all-round brilliance scripted a 280-run victory for the hosts. He scored a classy hundred on Day 1 of the Test to bail India out of trouble and took six wickets in the fourth innings, thereby earning the Player of the Match award.
Speaking on Jio Cinema, Tamim observed that only Rohit and Kohli are often talked about due to their hundreds, but Ashwin is equally an important member of the side.
"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," Tamim said.
The fourth day of the Test also saw the veteran climb to the eighth spot in the highest wicket-takers list in the format, going past Courtney Walsh's tally of 519 scalps.
"I am probably enjoying my game because of what I am doing and not because of what I want to get out of it" - Ravichandran Ashwin
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Ashwin said playing at the Chepauk is always a privilege for him and took pride in digging India out of trouble in this Test. He said:
"Every time I play in Chennai in front of this crowd, it's an amazing feeling for me. I have watched a lot of Test cricket and international cricket sitting in those stands. To play in front of those stands, it's a beautifully renovated stadium now, that itself is a special feeling for me. I am probably enjoying my game because of what I am doing and not because of what I want to get out of it. It was an opportunity to fight and dig in deep, that's one of the reasons why we all play the game."
The second Test begins on September 27 in Kanpur.
