Tamim Iqbal feels R Ashwin is as important as Rohit, Virat for India's success in Tests

Chennai [India], : Former Bangladesh skipper Tamim Iqbal hailed Ravichandran Ashwin and said that he is as important as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for India's success in Test cricket.

Rohit Sharma-led India clinched a massive 280-run win over Bangladesh in the first Test match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday.

Ashwin was named the 'Player of the Match' in the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai. He played a crucial 113-run knock from 133 balls in the first inning. The 38-year-old bagged a six-wicket haul in the second inning, which helped India clinch a 280-run win over Bangladesh on day four of the Chennai Test.

Speaking on Jio Cinema, Tamim said that Ashwin was batting like a proper batter during India's first inning in the Chennai Test against Bangladesh.

"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.

Coming to the match, Bangladesh won the toss and elected to field first.

The top-order collapsed, and India was left at 34/3. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant stitched a 62-run partnership for the fourth wicket, bringing India into the game. After India was reduced to 144/6, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja stitched a 199-run partnership, helping India reach 376 in 91.2 overs.

Hasan Mahmud was the top bowler for Bangladesh, destroying the Indian top order, removing skipper Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli. Taskin Ahmed also took three wickets for 55 runs.

In their first innings, Bangladesh lost wickets regularly. Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz put up a brief fight for Bangladesh, but Bumrah and Akash Deep broke the back of Bangladesh batting. Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja took two wickets each. Bangladesh was bundled out for 149 runs in their first inning and trailed by 227 runs.

In their second innings, India once again lost their top-order quickly and was struggling at 67/3. But centuries from Gill and Rishabh Pant helped them reach 287/4 before the innings was declared. Bangladesh was set a massive 515 to win.

Bangladesh started off the run-chase well, with openers Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam putting up a 62-run opening stand. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto held the innings together as Ravichandran Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah were among the wickets. At the end of day three, Bangladesh was 158/4, with skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and Shakib Al Hasan unbeaten.

On the final day, Ashwin and Jadeja ran through the Bangladesh line-up, bundling them out for 228 runs, with Shanto playing a fighting knock of 82 in 127 balls, with six fours and three sixes.

Ashwin ended the inning with figures of 6/88, while Jadeja took 3/58. Bumrah got one wicket.

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