India vs Bangladesh 1st Test: Ashwin's 5-Wicket Haul Guides India to Dominant Victory
The first Test match between India and Bangladesh at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram concluded with a resounding victory for the visitors. India, spearheaded by a sensational five-wicket haul from Ravichandran Ashwin, secured a comfortable 188-run win on the final day, showcasing their dominance throughout the match.
A Dominant Display by India
The match began with India winning the toss and electing to bat first. They posted a formidable total of 404 runs in their first innings, thanks to a brilliant century from Cheteshwar Pujara (102) and fifties from KL Rahul (50) and Shreyas Iyer (58).
Bangladesh, in reply, were bundled out for a paltry 150 runs in their first innings. The Indian bowlers, led by Ashwin's exceptional performance (4-57), dominated the proceedings.
Ashwin's Masterclass
The second innings saw Bangladesh fighting back with a more resilient performance, scoring 251 runs. However, Ashwin, once again, proved to be the difference-maker. He picked up a remarkable 5-62, dismantling the Bangladesh batting line-up and effectively ending their hopes of a comeback.
The Turning Point
The turning point of the match came in the second innings when Bangladesh, despite losing wickets, looked to have built a solid foundation. But Ashwin's masterclass in the middle session of the day turned the tide completely in India's favor. He dismissed the crucial wickets of Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim, effectively breaking the back of the Bangladesh resistance.
The Final Day
On the final day, India set Bangladesh a daunting target of 465 runs to win. Bangladesh, despite a fighting effort from Mominul Haque (74), fell short, ultimately losing the match by 188 runs.
Key Highlights
- Ashwin's 5-wicket haul in the second innings proved to be a game-changer.
- India's bowling attack, particularly Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav, dominated throughout the match.
- Pujara's century in the first innings laid a strong foundation for India.
- Bangladesh faced a steep uphill task after a poor first innings performance.
The Way Forward
This resounding victory will boost India's confidence going into the second Test. Bangladesh, on the other hand, will need to find a way to counter India's bowling attack if they want to level the series. The second Test, starting on December 22nd, is set to be an intriguing clash.
