India vs Bangladesh 1st Test: Ashwin Hits Ton on Day 1
The first Test match between India and Bangladesh at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram witnessed a day dominated by the Indian spinners, with Ravichandran Ashwin smashing a century and claiming a crucial wicket to put India in a commanding position.
Ashwin's Century Leads India's Charge
India, after opting to bat first, started their innings cautiously, with the opening partnership of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul laying a solid foundation. However, a quick collapse followed, with Shreyas Iyer, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Virat Kohli all falling cheaply. This left India at 114/4, with the pressure building on the middle order.
It was then that Ashwin took the stage. He joined hands with Shubman Gill, who had been the mainstay of the Indian innings, and the pair stitched together a crucial 149-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Ashwin, playing with immense aggression, reached his century with a boundary off Taijul Islam, becoming only the third Indian spinner to achieve this feat in Test cricket.
Bangladesh Struggles Against Spin
Bangladesh's bowling attack was simply ineffective against the Indian spinners, especially Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav. Ashwin, who finished the day with figures of 3/40, also claimed the key wicket of Mominul Haque, a crucial blow for Bangladesh.
Gill also played a significant role, scoring a masterful 110 runs before being dismissed by Khaled Ahmed. His innings were characterized by elegant strokeplay and a mature temperament.
India Ends Day 1 in Strong Position
India ended the day on a commanding 278/6, with a lead of 160 runs. Ashwin's hundred and Gill's century laid the foundation for a strong first-innings score, while the spin duo of Ashwin and Kuldeep kept Bangladesh under immense pressure throughout the day.
The first day of the Test match saw a dominant performance by India, with the spinners taking center stage. The team's strong batting performance and the impressive bowling figures of Ashwin and Kuldeep put them in a strong position heading into the second day. Bangladesh will need a significant turnaround to stay in the game.
Key Highlights:
- Ashwin scored a brilliant century and claimed a crucial wicket.
- Gill scored a classy 110 runs.
- Bangladesh struggled against the Indian spinners, particularly Ashwin and Kuldeep.
- India ended the day on 278/6, with a lead of 160 runs.
The second day of the Test match promises to be an exciting one, with Bangladesh needing to find a way to fight back against a confident Indian team.
