Virat Kohli questioned Indian cricket in Chennai Test claims R Ashwin

Senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin recalled Virat Kohli's main concerns during the Chennai Test between India and Bangladesh. Ashwin reckoned that the low turn-out of the crowd on the first day surprised both himself and Kohli, leaving the latter worried.

During the start of play on Day 1, the crowd was extremely small but it increased as the day progressed. By the end of the day, there was enough crowd to make their presence felt and they supported the home team with all their heart.

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R Ashwin recalls Virat Kohli's words during Chennai Test

While speaking on his YouTube channel with former cricketer and commentator Ashwath Bobo, R Ashwin recalled the time when the ground was empty on Day 1 which prompted Virat Kohli to comment on the low crowd turn-out. However, Ashwin further mentioned that the crowd came out in huge numbers since that moment.

"The ground was empty on the first day. I was wondering why the ground was so empty on Day 1. Virat Kept telling me that no one was coming to watch the Test match. But from that moment, there was a huge crowd. I wanted to ask you why so many people struggled to buy tickets?" R Ashwin asked Ashwath Bobo.

While Virat Kohli was disappointed with the low crowd turn-out on Day 1, his early fall of wicket also disappointed the spectators. Virat Kohli was out for just 6 runs in the first session of Day 1. The 35-year-old failed to score big in the second innings as well when he was dismissed for just 17.

Reason for the low-turnout on Day 1

In the same video, Ashwath Bobo answered that the low turn-out earlier was due to the people's preference for a day ticket rather than a season ticket as they doubted the match would be played for five days.

"Initially, when ticket sales used to happen, they used to call it a season ticket or a day ticket. A season ticket is when you get it punched on Day 1 and you can come back for 5 days with the same ticket. Many people were afraid that the match would not go on till the 4th or 5th day," Ashwath replied.

"So everyone had an ambiguity about buying the season ticket. So when they came to buy the day ticket, the crowd was huge. The crowd was from the Pavillion to the Pattabiram Gate," he added.

R Ashwin later asked if there was just a single counter. Ashwath claimed that there was just one counter which caused the delay. He also revealed he saw a huge crowd waiting in line but due to the limited availability of day tickets. However, he also added that the crowd was till the post-match presentation on the last day of the match.

"Yes, there was just one counter. There were a lot of problems. When I came, there was a huge crowd in that line. But when I came, as you said, the crowd was scattered on Day 1. So, many people struggled to buy the day ticket. But as you said, yesterday was Saturday and the crowd was huge. On Sunday, the crowd was there till the end of the presentation," Ashwath said.

Brilliant home match for R Ashwin

R Ashwin had a brilliant match overall as he produced an all-round performance with both bat and ball. He came in to bat when India were precariously poised at 144-6 in the first innings but scored a counter-attacking hundred to turn the match around. He scored 113 off 133 balls.

R Ashwin also produced a scintillating display of bowling in the second innings and picked up a six-wicket haul. He finished with 6-88 and helped India secure a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series.