India’s off-spinner R Ashwin shared insights into the strategy behind India’s stunning seven-wicket win over Bangladesh in Kanpur, despite losing two and a half days to rain and a wet outfield. Ashwin, who has played with captain Rohit Sharma for over a decade, admitted he was initially surprised when Rohit laid out an aggressive plan to win the match.
“In our huddle after bowling out Bangladesh, Rohit told us we’d aim to score 400 runs in 50 overs. Even if we got out under 200, we’d still have made a game out of it,” Ashwin revealed after the match. Rohit set the tone by hitting a six off the first ball, and India’s aggressive approach followed, with Yashasvi Jaiswal’s quickfire half-century leading the charge.
India’s bowling attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah (3/17), Ravindra Jadeja (3/34), and Ashwin (3/50), helped dismiss Bangladesh for 146. Chasing a modest target of 95, India comfortably secured victory in 17.2 overs, with Jaiswal contributing 51 runs.
Ashwin praised young talents Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, calling them the “future pillars of Indian cricket.” Gill had scored a century in the first Test’s second innings, while Jaiswal finished the series with three half-centuries. Ashwin noted that upcoming overseas tours would further shape their Test careers, allowing them to gain vital experience.
Ashwin also lauded India’s well-rounded bowling attack, which shared 20 wickets across 123.2 overs in a rain-affected match. He emphasized that the team’s confidence in its bowlers, backed by Rohit’s belief, played a key role in the victory. “This bowling attack is special, and I hope this legacy continues,” Ashwin said, highlighting the unit’s ability to consistently take wickets and hold control in challenging situations.
