Ashwin's Century Dominates India's Day 1 vs Bangladesh
India's top-order faltered but a brilliant century by Ravichandran Ashwin steered them to a respectable first innings total of 258 on the opening day of the first Test against Bangladesh at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.
A shaky start for India
The first session was a tough one for India as they lost wickets at regular intervals. They were reduced to 136/6 at lunch, with Bangladesh's fast bowlers exploiting the conditions well. The surface offered some bounce and movement, and the Indian batsmen struggled to adjust.
Ashwin's heroics
The afternoon session was all about Ravichandran Ashwin. He came in at number eight and played with immense composure and skill. He reached his half-century off just 66 balls and then accelerated to bring up his century, his fifth in Tests. His century, which came off 123 balls and included 14 boundaries, was a masterclass in batting under pressure. He single-handedly rescued India from a potential collapse.
India's lower order provides support
While Ashwin was the star of the show, the Indian tailenders also played their part. Shreyas Iyer and Umesh Yadav added valuable runs to help India reach a respectable total.
Bangladesh's bowlers strike back
Bangladesh's bowlers were disciplined throughout the day. Taijul Islam was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4/83, while Khaled Ahmed picked up 3/61. The hosts will be looking to capitalize on their advantage and keep the pressure on India in the second innings.
Key takeaways:
- Ashwin's century was the highlight of the day and a crucial factor in India reaching a respectable first innings total.
- India's top-order struggled against the Bangladesh bowlers, but the lower order played their part to ensure a decent score.
- Bangladesh's bowlers were disciplined and effective, and they will be looking to build on their performance in the second innings.
The first day of the Test was a captivating affair, with Ashwin's century stealing the show. It will be interesting to see how the match unfolds on the remaining days.
