IND vs BAN: Gautam Gambhir in awe of R Ashwin's 'slap shot', elderly lady also celebrates valiant knock from local boy

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IND vs BAN: Local boy Ravichandran Ashwin came to the rescue of his team on the opening day of the first Test match against Bangladesh in Chennai and played a shot which left head Gautam Gambhir coach mighty impressed.

India were six down for 144 when Ashwin walked out in the middle with a huge cheer from the fans at the MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk) on Thursday, September 19.

Ashwin, who has five Test hundreds to his name, got into action soon by hitting a boundary on the second ball he faced. On the last ball of the same over from Bangladesh pace sensation Nahid Rana, Ashwin smashed another four, but the quality of the shot this team left even India head coach Gautam Gambhir stunned.

Nahid Rana was pumped after the big wicket of Yashasvi Jaiswal (56), and was bowling at a steamy pace to the veteran all-rounder. However, he ended dropping the final ball of the 44th over a bit wide as the 38-year-old wasted no opportunity and slapped the delivery through point for a cracking four.

The shot evoked reaction from Gambhir, who is known for his inexpressive demeanour. However, the scintillating cut shot from Ashwin got out the reaction of amazement from Gambhir.

Ashwin's plays counter-attacking knock in front of father, elderly lady celebrates his six

Ashwin played a counter-attacking innings with his father watching from the ground. He forged a fifty-plus partnership with Ravindra Jadeja to take India past 200 without any further dismissal at his home ground Chepauk. He hit four boundaries before slog-sweeping one off Shakib Al Hasan for a six over midwicket.

The six also forced an elderly lady to stand up from her seat, and applaud the local boy for turning up the heat on Bangladesh who looked under pressure for the first time after electing to bowl first on a surface which helped the pacers in overcast conditions.

At the time this article was published, Ashwin was batting on unbeaten 50 off 58, and his partnership with Jadeja was approaching the hundred-run mark.