Ravichandran Ashwin credited his ability to compartmentalize the disciplines of batting and bowling—what he called “different sports within the same game”—for helping him craft his crucial century during the first Test against Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. While Ashwin the bowler plans dismissals several deliveries in advance, he said his focus as a batter was on reacting to each ball as it came, leading to his composed innings.
Ashwin’s impressive 113 off 133 balls came at a time when India was struggling at 144 for 6 on the opening day in challenging bowling conditions. Alongside Ravindra Jadeja, Ashwin stitched a vital 199-run partnership, guiding India to a commanding total of 376, which set the stage for them to control the game.
Reflecting on his mindset when he came to the crease, Ashwin said, “Surprisingly, I found myself in a really good, happy space. As I’ve said before, batting and bowling are separate sports. One is conscious, the other subconscious. Compartmentalizing them has been key, and now I’m able to balance both as a cricketer.” He emphasized the importance of simply focusing on watching and reacting to the ball when batting, a mindset that contrasted with his methodical approach to bowling.
Ashwin’s century, his second at his home ground, followed another emotional hundred against England in 2021. When asked to compare the two, the 38-year-old couldn’t choose, saying both were significant in their own way. He reflected on the evolution of his batting since then, attributing it to hard work and a focus on improving against fast bowling.
Ashwin also praised Ravindra Jadeja, who narrowly missed his own century. He expressed admiration for Jadeja’s consistency and talent, saying, “Jaddu has evolved so well. I’ve always envied his natural abilities, but watching him bat has helped me improve my own game. We’ve grown together, and we’re now enjoying each other’s success more than ever before.”