Ashwin, Jadeja's Heroics Seal Bangladesh Loss
India's spin duo Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja produced a devastating spell of bowling to send Bangladesh crashing to a 188-run defeat in the first Test at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Sunday.
The duo combined to take 10 wickets between them, leaving Bangladesh struggling to chase down a target of 513. Their performance proved instrumental in securing India's first victory in Bangladesh in 11 years.
Here’s a breakdown of the key moments from the match:
Day 1: India Declares Early, Setting a Target of 513
India dominated the first day, riding on a brilliant century by Cheteshwar Pujara (102) and fifties from Shubman Gill (74) and Virat Kohli (51) to declare their innings at 404/5, setting Bangladesh a monumental target of 513 runs.
Day 2: Bangladesh's Struggle Begins, Ashwin Takes 5
Bangladesh started their chase poorly, losing their first two wickets quickly. But Shakib Al Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto showed some resistance, putting together a 142-run partnership. However, Ashwin broke the partnership, dismissing Shanto for 64. He went on to take a phenomenal 5-wicket haul, leaving Bangladesh at 136/5 at stumps.
Day 3: Jadeja Takes 5, Bangladesh's Hopes Fade
Jadeja continued the onslaught on day 3, taking 5 wickets for 42 runs to completely derail Bangladesh's hopes of a comeback. The lower order collapsed, with the last four wickets falling for just 32 runs.
Day 4: A Quick Finish, India Dominates
With a lead of over 300 runs, India didn't need to force things. They declared their second innings at 258/2, giving Bangladesh a chance to bat for a few hours. But the damage was already done, and the team was bowled out for 225, giving India a comfortable victory by 188 runs.
Ashwin and Jadeja's Dominance
The two Indian spinners were simply unplayable in the match. Ashwin finished with 5/62, while Jadeja took 5/42. They combined to spin a web around Bangladesh, taking 10 wickets between them. This incredible partnership was the highlight of the match and a crucial factor in India's victory.
India's Series Lead
This victory has given India a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series. The second Test is scheduled to begin in Dhaka on December 22nd.
Looking Ahead
The Indian team will be confident heading into the second Test. The team showed their strength, both in batting and bowling, and will be looking to win the series. Bangladesh, on the other hand, will need to find a way to counter India's spin attack if they want to level the series.
This victory is a significant one for India, especially after their recent struggles in the longer format of the game. The performance of Ashwin and Jadeja will give them a huge boost of confidence for the upcoming Test match.
