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Is R Ashwin A Bigger Match Winner Than Virat Kohli In Tests? Former Bangladesh Captain Opines

R Ashwin and Virat Kohli- (X.com)R Ashwin and Virat Kohli- (X.com)

India registered their biggest win against Bangladesh on Sunday, September 22, after they beat the Tigers by 280 runs in the series opener match at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. 

R Ashwin was the star with the bat and ball as he scored a century in the first innings and pulled India out of a crumble. In the second innings, the right-hand off-spinner registered a six-wicket haul and scripted a plethora of records with his feat. Ashwin won the Player of the Match award for his heroics and even hogged headlines after Virat Kohli bowed down in pride to hail Ashwin's display against Bangladesh.

Tamim Iqbal Heaps Massive Praise On Ashwin

Former Bangladesh skipper Tamim Iqbal, who is part of the broadcasting team, heaped massive praise on Ashwin after the win and stated that he is on the same level as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. 

"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," said Tamim Iqbal on Jio Cinema.

India will play Bangladesh next at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur from September 27. 

Decoding Virat Kohli's Reduced Impact In Test Cricket

Virat is struggling to find his rhythm in red-ball cricket. He failed in both innings in the Chennai Test and has played just two red-ball matches. Regarding test cricket, Virat has been unable to make a mark similar to white-ball cricket.

In 2024, Virat has scored just 81 runs in four Test games and averages just 20, his worst slump with the bat since 2020. Meanwhile, Ashwin on the other hand has contributed more in the wins at home by his brilliance with the bat and the ball. Due to Ashwin's heroics, India, for the first time in 92 years of their Test history have more wins than losses in red-ball cricket.

Meanwhile, Ashwin has already taken 32 wickets in 12 Test matches in 2024 and is having a better calendar year performance than he had from 2016-19.