Bangladesh Struggles on Day 2 in Chennai Test: India Dominates with Spin
The second day of the first Test between India and Bangladesh in Chennai saw the hosts tighten their grip on the match, with India's spin bowlers running riot. The visitors, who had been struggling to cope with the slow, turning pitch, were bundled out for 150 in their first innings, handing India a crucial 147-run lead.
India's Spin Trio Wreaks Havoc
The Indian spin trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav was simply unplayable. They exploited the conditions expertly, bowling with accuracy and guile, and kept Bangladesh's batsmen on the back foot throughout the day.
Ashwin was the pick of the bowlers, taking a career-best 7 wickets for 59 runs. His ability to spin the ball both ways and deceive the batsmen with variations made him a nightmare for Bangladesh.
Axar Patel too chipped in with 3 wickets, further exposing Bangladesh's vulnerability against spin. The left-arm spinner bowled with control and accuracy, keeping a tight lid on the scoring rate.
Kuldeep Yadav was brought into the attack later in the day, but he too made his presence felt, taking 2 wickets.
Bangladesh's Batting Woes Continue
Bangladesh's batting woes continued, with their top order failing to make a significant impact. Mominul Haque was the only batsman to show some resistance, scoring a patient 44 runs.
However, the rest of the batsmen were unable to adapt to the conditions. Liton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, and Mushfiqur Rahim all fell victim to Ashwin's magic, while Shakib Al Hasan once again failed to deliver, falling for 2 runs.
India's Second Innings: A Strong Start
With a massive lead of 147 runs, India chose to bat again, and they got off to a strong start. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill played fluently, putting on a 50-run partnership for the first wicket.
However, Gill was dismissed by Taijul Islam soon after reaching his half-century, leaving Rohit to guide India through the remainder of the day.
Day 2 Summary:
- India dominated Day 2, bowling out Bangladesh for 150 and taking a 147-run lead.
- Ravichandran Ashwin was the star performer with a career-best 7 wickets.
- Bangladesh's batsmen struggled to cope with the spin-friendly pitch.
- India's second innings started strongly, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill putting on a 50-run partnership.
Day 3: Can Bangladesh Make a Comeback?
Bangladesh will need to fight back hard on Day 3 if they are to salvage anything from this Test match. They will be looking for their bowlers to step up and dismiss India quickly, while their batsmen will need to show more resilience against the Indian spin attack.
However, given the dominance of India's spinners and Bangladesh's vulnerability against spin, it's going to be a monumental task for the visitors. The next two days will be crucial for Bangladesh, who will be looking for a miracle to avoid a heavy defeat.
