India vs Bangladesh 1st Test: Ashwin's Ton, Day 1 Highlights
The first Test match between India and Bangladesh in Chattogram got off to a thrilling start on December 14th, 2022. The day was dominated by Ravichandran Ashwin's brilliant century, his first in Test cricket since 2018, and some exciting bowling performances from both sides. Here's a detailed look at the key highlights of Day 1:
India's Strong Start
India, batting first, got off to a solid start with KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma adding 54 runs for the first wicket. However, both fell quickly, leaving India at 63/2. Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli then steadied the ship, building a crucial partnership of 55 runs before Kohli was dismissed for 24.
Ashwin's Resurgence
With the score at 118/3, Ravichandran Ashwin joined Pujara in the middle. The duo put on a magnificent 148-run partnership, Ashwin reaching his maiden Test century since 2018. His knock included 12 fours and a six, showcasing his incredible resilience and batting prowess. Pujara, meanwhile, continued his excellent form, scoring a patient half-century.
Bangladesh's Late Fightback
After Ashwin was dismissed for 123, Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant contributed valuable runs before India declared their innings at 404/6. Bangladesh, in their first innings, faced a tough task against the Indian bowlers. Taijul Islam and Mominul Haque held the fort for a while, but Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Siraj ripped through the middle order, leaving Bangladesh struggling at 108/6.
Key Moments
- Ashwin's Century: Ashwin's century was a crucial factor in India's big total. It showed his ability to not only bowl well but also contribute significantly with the bat.
- Taijul Islam's Resilience: The Bangladesh left-arm spinner battled through a difficult period, facing a barrage of short balls from the Indian fast bowlers. His fight showed his determination.
- Umesh Yadav's Pace: Umesh Yadav was the pick of the bowlers for India, taking two early wickets and setting the tone for the Indian bowlers.
Day 1 Conclusion
Day 1 of the first Test ended with Bangladesh still trailing India by a significant margin. Despite a late fightback, Bangladesh needs to find a way to restrict the Indian lead and put themselves in a position to win the match. The match is poised for an exciting second day with India in a strong position to take control.
Day 2 Preview
Day 2 will be crucial for Bangladesh's hopes in the Test match. The team needs to build a solid partnership and try to limit India's lead before attempting to score enough runs in the second innings to set a challenging target. It will be interesting to see how the Bangladesh batters perform against the Indian spin attack, led by the ever-reliable Ravichandran Ashwin.
This first Test match is shaping up to be a fascinating contest, with both teams showcasing their strengths and weaknesses on the first day. The remaining days of the match promise to be thrilling with plenty of action and drama in store for fans.
