While Ravichandran Ashwin’s quality with the ball spoke for itself throughout his Test career, the Chennai tweaker has always seen himself as more of an all-rounder in the format. In fact, from time to time, Ashwin has delivered performances with the bat that have cemented his credentials as a reliable player in the lower order of batting.

When he scored his sixth career Test century on the first day of the opening Test match against Bangladesh, Indian fans were reminded of how many times Ashwin was brought in further down the batting order to play match-winning innings and save his team. Here is a list of the five most memorable such innings.

First Test century against West Indies, 2011

Playing only his third Test match and third Test innings, R Ashwin took India to the eighth place with 331-6, still trailing by 259 runs after the West Indies’ stunning first innings score at the Wankhede.

Ashwin again scored highly in this innings, hitting 15 boundaries and even two sixes as India recovered from the deficit. He scored 103 of India’s next 151 runs while batting at the tail to keep India competitive after already conceding a five-fer with the ball.

Later in the Test, Ashwin kept India alive once again on the final day of the famous tied Test match by ensuring India avoided defeat in the last over. With two runs still required on the last ball, he was run out while attempting to complete the second run but had ensured India avoided defeat in that match.

Saving the game in Sydney 2021

Perhaps the most significant innings on this list is Ashwin’s warrior innings at the SCG in 2021 alongside Hanuma Vihari and Cheteshwar Pujara, which is one of India’s greatest Test moments.

With nearly 50 overs left to play on day 5 after Pujara’s departure, Ashwin was already suffering from a back problem and was in poor form. He had to bowl 128 balls for his 39* and had several bouncers on his body, but ensured that India did not have to resort to the tail or an even more seriously injured Ravindra Jadeja to save the Test.

India, despite depleting resources, managed to secure a draw in Sydney, setting the stage for their famous series win in the following Test at the Gabba.

106 against England, Chennai, 2022

Ashwin scored a crucial century in the third innings to maintain India’s lead against England in the 2022 home series. After losing the first Test in Chennai, the two teams faced each other at the same venue as part of the Covid-affected tour. India had put up a strong first innings thanks to a brilliant century from Rohit Sharma and Ashwin’s five-for, but were struggling at 106-6 when Ashwin came to bat.

He formed a partnership with Virat Kohli to extend India’s lead with an attacking batting performance before the hosts comfortably bowled England out and leveled the series.

India at home against Bangladesh, Mirpur, 2022

With batting against an order-turner looking almost impossible towards the end of the Mirpur Test in December 2022, Ashwin came in to bat at number nine as India reeled at 74-7. Although they needed just 71 runs, wickets were the problem with only Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Siraj in the hut.

Showing all his experience and flair in turning the tracks, Ashwin did well against the Bangladeshi group of spinners as he teamed up with Shreyas Iyer to finish the game without further damage. He attacked Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who had taken 5 of the 7 wickets in that innings, and scored 16 in his last over to seal the win. Ashwin’s 42* on the day remains the highest score by a number 9 or lower in a successful fourth innings chase in a Test match.

The counterattack against Bangladesh, Chennai, 2024

Finally, comes Ashwin’s defeat in the ongoing Test match against Bangladesh, once again on his home ground in Chennai. When India fell behind at 144-6 after a superb bowling performance from the visitors, Ashwin joined forces with Ravindra Jadeja to launch a counter-attack and turn India’s fortunes around on the first day.

The pair put on a partnership of 199 runs to give India a lead in the match, with Ashwin showing excellent control in his attacking innings. He finished with 113 runs in just 133 deliveries, turning the tide in the first innings and putting India in a very strong position for this Test.