Bangladesh vs India: Ashwin Leads Recovery After Early Wickets
India clawed their way back into the first Test against Bangladesh, thanks to a crucial half-century from Ravichandran Ashwin and a valiant knock by Shreyas Iyer, after a shaky start that saw them lose three early wickets.
The first day at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram saw India struggle to find their footing. The Bangladesh bowlers, led by the experienced Taijul Islam, exploited the early morning conditions to perfection.
Early Stumbles
KL Rahul, who returned to the Indian side after recovering from an injury, got off to a good start but was caught by Liton Das off Taijul for 24. Cheteshwar Pujara then fell victim to an excellent delivery from Khaled Ahmed, bowled for just 1. This brought Virat Kohli to the crease, but he too was dismissed cheaply, bowled by Taijul for 9.
India found themselves at 42/3, and it looked like they were headed for a disastrous first innings.
Ashwin and Iyer Lead the Resurgence
However, Ravichandran Ashwin took matters into his own hands. He displayed his characteristic grit and determination, battling through the early pressure and building a crucial partnership with Shreyas Iyer. The two Indian batsmen kept the scoreboard ticking, taking the Bangladesh bowlers to task with their impressive strokeplay.
Iyer, who returned to the Test squad after a long injury layoff, looked in excellent form. He confidently negotiated the challenging conditions and played some delightful shots, particularly through the off-side. He reached his half-century before falling to Mehidy Hasan for a well-made 86.
Ashwin's Crucial Knock
Ashwin, however, continued his fight. He carefully built his innings, showcasing his experience and temperament. He was particularly adept at countering the spin of Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan, using his feet to good effect and finding boundaries whenever opportunities arose.
His knock of 58 not out was crucial in taking India to a respectable first innings total. He formed a crucial partnership with Rishabh Pant, who played a quickfire 24 runs, guiding India past 150.
Bangladesh's Bowling Performance
The Bangladesh bowlers, despite the early success, couldn't maintain the same level of intensity throughout the day. They bowled a disciplined line but often struggled to find the right lengths and often bowled too full, allowing the Indian batsmen to get on top of the bowling.
Key Takeaways
The first day of the first Test between India and Bangladesh ended with India in a relatively comfortable position, thanks to the resilient performances of Ashwin and Iyer. Despite the early loss of wickets, India managed to recover well and post a respectable total.
The first day also highlighted the importance of the spin bowlers in these conditions. Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan were very effective for Bangladesh, and Ashwin's strong performance proved his importance to the Indian team.
The match is poised for an exciting second day with the Indian bowlers hoping to take early wickets and put Bangladesh under pressure.
This game will be a test of the Indian team's resilience and adaptability, and the performance of their key players like Ashwin and Kohli will be crucial in determining the outcome of the match.
