Ravichandran Ashwin reckons Kanpur Test win massive in context of WTC

India managed to hand Bangladesh a thrashing in the second Test in Kanpur, with just a little over two days to claim the two-match series 2-0. They came out with intent after bowling out for 233 and registered a 50-run lead, batting at a run-rate of 8.20, that set the platform for the seven-wicket win. 

Ravichandran Ashwin has been the standout performer in the series with 11 wickets at 19.27, including a six-wicket haul in the first Test and Chennai, and also scored a ton in the same match to dig India out of trouble.

The Kanpur Test would have ended in tame draw had India not upped the ante on Day Four, after two days of heavy rain and Ashwin realises how important this win could be in the context of making the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

"Winning this game was important for us. Massive win for us in the context of the WTC," Ashwin said at the post-match presentation.

India are currently on top of the WTC standings with a win percentage of 74.24. They still have three home Tests against New Zealand and five more against Australia away from home to come.

Ashwin credits the intent shown right from the start to skipper Rohit Sharma, who smashed the first two balls he faced over the fence. "Rohit was keen that we needed 80 overs to bowl at them. He said even if we get bowled out for 230, it's okay. And he set the tone with the way he stepped out first ball," he said.

Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto, on the other hand, believes that it s his batters who let them down. 

"Both the Tests we didn't bat well. In these conditions we need to bat well. If you look at our batters - we played 30-40 balls and got out. It's important in a Test match, when batsmen get in, you should look to score big runs," Shanto said. 

"The way Ashwin and Jaddu [Ravindra Jadeja] batted at that time - they batted really well. As a bowling unit we need to look at those moments - how we can get those wickets. That partnership cost us that game. The way Mominul [Haque] batted this innings will help going forward. And the was ([Mehidy Hasan] Miraz bowled in both innings - he bowled really well."

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