India vs Bangladesh 1st Test Day 1: Ashwin Century Fuels Dominance
The first day of the India vs Bangladesh 1st Test at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram saw India take a firm grip on the match, thanks to a magnificent century from veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.
India's Strong Start
Winning the toss and electing to bat first, India got off to a solid start with openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul putting on a 52-run partnership. While Rahul departed for 22, Rohit continued to anchor the innings, reaching his 30th Test fifty. He eventually fell for 61, leaving India at 108/2.
Ashwin's Masterclass
The stage was then set for Ravichandran Ashwin to weave his magic. The off-spinner displayed his remarkable all-round abilities, hitting a brilliant century and taking a crucial wicket. He reached his 100 off just 107 balls, becoming only the third Indian to score a Test century after being dropped in the slip cordon. His innings was laced with 12 boundaries and a six, showcasing his aggressive intent.
Solid Support
While Ashwin was the star of the show, he also received support from the lower-order batsmen. Shreyas Iyer contributed a quickfire 46, while Rishabh Pant played a breezy knock of 27 runs.
Bangladesh's Struggle
The Bangladesh bowling attack, while trying their best, was simply outplayed by the Indian batsmen. Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 wickets, but he was unable to stem the flow of runs.
End of Day 1
India ended the day at a commanding 278/6, with Ashwin remaining unbeaten on 123. The hosts face a tough task on Day 2 to restrict India's lead and make a comeback into the match.
Key Moments of the Day
- Ashwin's century, a remarkable feat by an off-spinner.
- Rohit Sharma's steady innings, laying the foundation for India's dominance.
- The excellent bowling performance of Taijul Islam.
What to Expect on Day 2
Day 2 will likely see India push for a declaration after adding a few more runs. The Bangladesh batsmen will face the tough task of overcoming the early challenge posed by the Indian bowlers. It will be interesting to see if they can manage to survive the early onslaught and build a competitive total to stay in the game.
The match is set to be a thrilling contest, and with Ashwin in such fine form, India will be hoping to take a decisive lead in the series.
