India Dominates Day 1 in Chittagong, Ashwin's Century Headlines the Show!
The first day of the first Test between India and Bangladesh in Chittagong saw a dominant performance by the visiting team, highlighted by Ravichandran Ashwin's magnificent century. The veteran off-spinner, known for his bowling prowess, smashed a career-best 124, steering India to a strong 278/6 at stumps.
A Day of Two Halves: Early Struggles Followed by Ashwin's Brilliance
The day began with India losing their openers cheaply, as KL Rahul and Shubman Gill fell to the sharp bowling of Taskin Ahmed within the first 10 overs. Bangladesh, with the new ball swinging, looked to be in control.
However, a crucial 89-run partnership between Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara steadied the ship. Kohli, in his 100th Test match, showed his fighting spirit, scoring a gritty 44 before being dismissed by Taijul Islam. Pujara, known for his resilience, batted with his trademark solidity, scoring 73 runs before he was bowled by Khaled Ahmed.
Ashwin's Century Steals the Show
With the score at 177/4, the stage was set for Ravichandran Ashwin. He walked in with a clear intent, unleashing a flurry of powerful shots. He reached his fifty off just 54 balls, showcasing his aggressive approach.
Ashwin's century was a masterclass in stroke-making and temperament. He effortlessly dispatched both spinners and pacers, reaching the landmark with a towering six off Taijul Islam. His innings were studded with 12 boundaries and 3 sixes, proving that he is a force to be reckoned with, not just with the ball, but also with the bat.
Bangladesh's Bowling Struggles
While the Bangladesh bowlers began well, they struggled to maintain their momentum. Taskin Ahmed was the most effective bowler, claiming 2 wickets. However, other bowlers failed to create pressure, allowing Ashwin to dictate the terms of the match.
Day 1 Summary
In conclusion, India had a dominant first day in Chittagong, thanks in large part to Ashwin's century. The Indian bowlers will look to capitalize on this momentum and push for an early lead in the first Test. Bangladesh, on the other hand, will need to regroup and find a way to restrict India's scoring rate.
This is just the beginning of an exciting Test series, and with Ashwin's brilliance on display, we can expect more fireworks in the days to come.
