I am a big fan of Rohit: Ashwin

A self-confessed fan of batsman Rohit Sharma, offie Ravichandran Ashwin Friday said he enjoyed his time in the middle with the Mumbaikar, as the duo batted West Indies out of the Eden Gardens Test.

"I am a very big fan of Rohit. He always batted high up the order so I never got a chance to bat with him until this match.

"I just went out there and thought that if Rohit has a good day and if I can stick around with him, it could be a lovely partnership together.

"We enjoyed the time together and we communicated with each other well and had a good time," Ashwin said at the post-match media conference.

Ashwin scored 124 - his second ton against the West Indies - and stitched an Indian record partnership of 280 runs for the seventh wicket with fellow centurion Rohit as the hosts trounced the visitors by an innings and 51 runs.

Ashwin, who in 2011 scored his maiden hundred against the same opponents in Mumbai, said the latest one was significant as India were in trouble when he came in to bat.

"The last time I got the hundred I had nothing to think about. I just enjoyed my time and went out there and batted. But here it was different. We were in trouble. Although we were in trouble then (two years back), I didn't have anything to lose.

"But here we could have lost the game from there. So just started to stick out and looked to build a partnership," said Ashwin who came in to the crease with India struggling at 156/6 on day two.

Ashwin said the good night's sleep he had before the third day boosted his energy level to notch up his second ton.

"I slept really well," said Ashwin with a chuckle.

He went on to add: "I was pleased with what I did yesterday and probably a bit more pleased today."