The Multan Test between India and Pakistan in 2004 is remembered for Virender Sehwag‘s swashbuckling 309 – the first time an Indian cricketer scored a Test triple-century. However, there was another incident from the Test match that went on to become one of the controversial moments of Indian cricket. With India batting on 675/5 and Sachin Tendulkar unbeaten on 194, skipper Rahul Dravid decided to declare the first innings. While the decision was taken by the Indian cricket team considering the match situation, it meant that Sachin was left stranded six runs away from his double century. Sachin was visibly disappointed with the decision and it was widely criticised by both fans and experts. Former India batter Aakash Chopra recently spoke about the incident and how Tendulkar was extremely “unhappy”.

“I was in the dressing room, but I wasn’t part of that conversation. To be very honest, I didn’t even try to get into it because I was too young. Yes, paaji wasn’t happy that day. I think I saw him unhappy for the first time. I never saw him lose temper, and he didn’t exactly lose temper that day but he was visibly unhappy. Something wasn’t right,” Chopra told YouTube channel 2 Sloggers.

Chopra further said that it was the team’s decision to declare the innings and not Dravid’s alone. He added that Sourav Ganguly was also in the dressing room despite not playing the match and he was a part of the think-tank that took the decision.

“Rahul did call, but Dada (Ganguly) was part of the dressing room that day too. He wasn’t playing in that game, but he was in dressing room and I’m sure he was part of the think-tank. It wasn’t the captain’s decision alone,” said Chopra.

“After the game, Rahul did say that he wouldn’t have declared had he known the match would end within 4 days. With Rahul, it is possible that in heat of the moment, you agree or disagree. But you don’t doubt his decision. You know that even if he was at a similar position, he would’ve taken the same decision.”

Ravichandran Ashwin is one of the best spinners that India has ever produced and his statistics leave no doubt about the impact that he had on the modern game. Ashwin is the second-highest wicket-taker for India in international cricket and is currently the top ranked Test bowler in the world. However, the one record that Ashwin wants to achieve actually has nothing to do with bowling. Ahead of the first Test match between India and Bangladesh in Chennai starting Thursday, Ashwin revealed that he wishes to hit six sixes in an over but jokingly added that he never quite managed to do it.

“Ek over mein 6 chakke maarna chahta hoon (I want to hit six sixes in an over), par kabhi hua he nahi kabhi (but that never happened),” Ashwin said on Vimal Kumar’s YouTube channel.

Meanwhile, Ashwin opened up on his retirement plans and said that the day he feels he can’t improve any further, he will bid adieu to the sport.

Ashwin made his Test debut in 2011 against the West Indies. Following that, he has 100 long-format matches and 189 innings, in which he has scalped 516 wickets at an economy rate of 2.81.

The star India spinner has been named in India’s Test squad against Bangladesh. The two-match Test series between India and Bangladesh will kick off on September 19 at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium.

Speaking on Vimal Kumar‘s official YouTube channel, Ashwin said that there’s nothing on his mind regarding retirement. The 37-year-old added that he is only taking one day at a time.

“There is nothing like that in my mind. I am only thinking about one day at a time because when you get older, you have to put in extra effort every single day. It’s not the same. I have put in a lot of effort in the last 3-4 years,” Ashwin said.

“I haven’t decided (retirement), but the day I feel that today I don’t want to improve, I will leave. That’s all,” he added.

The second Test between India and Bangladesh will be held in Kanpur, which will be played from September 27.

(With ANI inputs)