R Ashwin And Chepauk: The Love Story That Goes Beyond Numbers

Ashwin scored a brilliant ton Vs Bangladesh at Chepauk [x]Ashwin scored a brilliant ton Vs Bangladesh at Chepauk [x]

When Anil Kumble retired from international cricket in 2008, India needed his long-term replacement, and despite trying out many for a brief period of time, the team management felt they needed an extra zip in the spin-bowling department.

This is when a tall, lanky spinner from Chennai came into focus. MS Dhoni. the successor of Anil Kumble needed a quality off-spinner, and he found the answer in Chennai's own, R Ashwin. It was November 6, 2011, and India were playing West Indies in a Test match in Delhi.

He instantly made an impact by picking up 6-wickets in the second innings as India won the game by 5-wickets. Finally, India found Kumble's replacement, three years after he retired.

Every cricketer has that one ground, where he feels like home. For Virat Kohli, it is the Adelaide Oval, for Rohit Sharma, it is the iconic Eden Gardens, and for the spin-wizard, R Ashwin, it is his home-ground, Chennai.

The off-spinner feels at his best, when bowling at the Chepauk, and boasts incredible stats at this venue. It has been 13-years, but the love-affair between Ashwin and Chepauk continues till this very day.

Ravichandran Ashwin: The king of Chepauk!

R Ashwin at Chepauk [X.com]R Ashwin at Chepauk [X.com]

It won't be an understatement to state that every-time Ashwin plays at Chepauk, he activates god mode. Last month, he guided TNPL side Dindigul Dragons to its maiden title with crucial knocks (69 n.o. off 30 balls, Qualifier 2; 52 off 46 balls, Final). On Thursday, he made it even more special with a stunning assault against Bangladesh, especially when India needed Ashwin, the batter to perform.

In 5 matches, the great spinner has scalped 30-wickets, at an average of just 23.60. He also has plucked four 5-wicket hauls at this venue and has terrorised the opposition batter with guile and turn on offer.

Growing up in Chennai and close to the Chepauk stadium, Ashwin knows the ground on the back of his hands, and he becomes a different bowler when he steps onto the field in Chepauk. 

R Ashwin's various milestones at Chepauk!

  • When India were in trouble against Bangladesh in the first Test at this venue (2024), Ashwin came at the rescue and slammed a scintillating ton - his 6th in Test cricket, and second at Chepauk. 
  • Moreover, he has four 5-wicket hauls at this venue, and is only the fifth player to register multiple five-fers and multiple centuries at a single venue in Tests.
  • After his stellar knock against Bangladesh, Ashwin equalled Kapil Dev's record of registering most fifty-plus scores (seven 50-plus scores each) in Tests in India as a No 8 batter.
  • Ashwin scored his fourth century here while coming out to bat at No. 8 or below in Tests, becoming the second cricketer to do so.

Ashwin at Chepauk: Historical significance

Ash Anna's first IPL team was the Chennai Super Kings, and so, his love-affair in IPL also began
at this very ground. Just like in Tests, MSD also trusted Ashwin to deliver the goods in T20 cricket, and backed the talented spinner to make his mark.

He represented the Chennai based IPL team for 8-years, and when CSK were banned for two-years, he once again followed MSD's footsteps and joined the Rising Pune Supergiants. For 8-years, Ashwin created a special bond with the Chennai fans, and the relation goes beyond a cricketing field. Even till date, he talks in a generous way about the Chennai fans and hopes to return to the franchise in some capacity.

Conclusion: The love that's eternal

"Always special to play in front of a home crowd, it's a ground I completely love."

These were words spoken by Ashwin after he reached his 6th Test century. One can sense the love, and respect Ashwin has for the people of Chennai. Who knows, with age catching up, this could be his last-ever Test match on home soil. And if it indeed is the last game, then Ashwin has surely bowed on a high.