Virat Kohli was seen bowing in admiration to Ravichandran Ashwin after the star spinner dismissed Mehidy Hasan Miraz on Day 4 of the first Test between India and Bangladesh.
India’s Test season began with a commanding 280-run victory over Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, giving India a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Ashwin’s standout all-round performance was pivotal in this win, and Kohli’s heartwarming gesture towards him became a viral moment.
Victory by 2⃣8⃣0⃣ runs in the 1st Test in Chennai 🙌#TeamIndia take a 1⃣-0⃣ lead in the series 👏👏
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/jV4wK7BOKA #INDvBAN | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/wVzxMf0TtV
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 22, 2024
In the first innings, Ashwin rescued India from a troubling position at 144/6 by scoring his sixth Test century. His crucial 113-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja for the seventh wicket was a turning point in the match. Ashwin’s brilliance continued in the final innings, where he claimed six wickets, securing India’s victory.
Virat Kohli’s Gesture for Ashwin
Kohli’s bow to Ashwin occurred as the team celebrated Ashwin’s dismissal of Mehidy Hasan Miraz. The act reflected the immense respect Kohli has for Ashwin’s contribution to the match.
A bow from Leader Virat kohli for Ashwin, the man with pure heart ❤ https://t.co/vAk4rpNi3w
— Ridorick (@Ridorick_18) September 22, 2024
Virat bows down to Ashwin 😭💙 so wholesome! pic.twitter.com/eYKVWr9xKl
— P ✨ (@ssnoozefest) September 22, 2024
Ashwin’s Record-Breaking Performance
Ashwin’s performance in the match was historic. He became the first player to score a century and take a five-wicket haul at the same venue in Test cricket on more than one occasion, having previously achieved this feat in a 2021 match against England. With his 37th five-wicket haul in Test cricket, Ashwin matched the legendary Shane Warne’s record, achieving the milestone in 101 Tests, compared to Warne’s 145.
This achievement also saw Ashwin surpass Richard Hadlee’s 36 five-wicket hauls, though Muttiah Muralitharan remains the leader in this category with a substantial 67 five-wicket hauls.
Virat Kohli’s Struggles
While Ashwin shone, Kohli, returning to Test cricket after a nine-month break, struggled with the bat, scoring just 6 and 17 in his two innings. Despite his individual challenges, Kohli’s respect for Ashwin’s performance was clear, emphasizing the team spirit behind India’s dominant win.
