India’s veteran all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin was at his absolute best when he scored an unbeaten 102 off just 112 balls on the opening day of the first Test match against Bangladesh at his home ground of MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Thursday.

Ashwin scored his sixth Test century and also his fastest in the red-ball format. The flamboyant right-hander was able to hit the ground running as he timed the ball to perfection as soon as he came to the crease. 

Ashwin also became the first Indian batter to score a Test hundred against Bangladesh while batting at number eight or below. Former left-hander Sunil Joshi had scored 92 runs against the Tigers in 2000 in Dhaka.

“Always a special feeling to play in front of this crowd,” Ashwin told Ravi Shastri from the broadcasters’ team after the end of the day’s play. “I have a lot of happy memories of playing here. When I got a last hundred here, you were the coach Ravi Bhai. I came here at the back of a T20 tournament (the Tamil Nadu Premier League, TNPL) and it helps a bit. I worked a lot on my batting and was happy it came off. Whenever the ball is there to be hit. I wanted to go hard as Rishabh does.”

Ashwin also stitched a crucial alliance of 195 runs with Ravindra Jadeja, who contributed an unbeaten 86, for the seventh wicket. India was in a spot of bother at 144-6 but the two veteran all-rounders were able to rescue the team out of the troubled waters. Ashwin showered praise on his batting partner for keeping it light when the conditions were hot and humid in Chennai.

“He is a real help,” Ashwin said. “There was a time when I was sweating and struggling to go. He noticed that and carried me through. He is one of the best players in this format over the years and he sensed what the wicket was doing and played solid. He was telling me we don’t have to convert the twos to threes, it was really helpful for me.”

India ended the opening day at 339-6 after 80 overs and Jadeja and Ashwin will look to further strengthen the home side’s position.