Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has compared Ravichandran Ashwin’s batting panache with former flamboyant batter VVS Laxman. Both Ashwin and Laxman have had the exquisite gift of timing in their batting and they have the ability to score runs off good balls.

Ashwin’s best was on display on the opening day of the first Test match against Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Thursday. The right-hander walked out to bat after India lost back to back wickets of Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul and found themselves under the cosh at 144-6.

However, Ashwin was able to get off the blocks in a jiffy and it looked like he was batting on a different pitch. Ashwin scored an unbeaten knock of 102 runs, which is his sixth Test century.

“We had once gotten used to seeing him scoring a lot of runs regularly but then there was a slight decline in batting form. He got a little demotion in the batting order as well but the way he plays, he is an extremely solid and organized player, and that’s why the ability to soak up the pressure is there in the foundation,” Aakash Chopra said on Colors Cineplex.

“He allows the ball to come towards him. He has all the backfoot shots in his repertoire. He repeatedly reminds me slightly of VVS Laxman with his leg-side shots but the way he played the drives today, especially the way he used his feet against spin and even hit a six, and a six while kneeling. He showed his entire range,” Chopra added.

Meanwhile, Ashwin last played an international match against England. After that, he had starred in the Tamil Nadu Premier League while leading Dindigul Dragons.

“Other guys still played in the T20 World Cup and then played T20Is or ODIs. He played his last international game against England. He doesn’t play any other format. He played in the IPL but he doesn’t get to bat there. So here he got a chance to bat after such a long time in competitive cricket,” he said in the same discussion.

Ashwin will look to keep up the good show on the second day’s play.