India vs Bangladesh 1st Test Day 1: Ashwin's Ton, Highlights
The first day of the India vs Bangladesh 1st Test at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram saw India dominate proceedings, thanks to a brilliant century from veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.
India Bat First and Post a Strong Total
After winning the toss and electing to bat, India got off to a shaky start, losing KL Rahul early. Cheteshwar Pujara joined Rohit Sharma, who was playing his 50th Test match, and the two put on a 71-run stand to stabilize the innings.
However, the Indian captain fell for 43, triggering a mini-collapse. Virat Kohli (1) and Shreyas Iyer (8) couldn't make much of an impact, leaving India at 117/4.
Ashwin Steps Up in Style
This is where Ravichandran Ashwin took center stage. Joining Pujara, the two put together a crucial 142-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Ashwin, known for his spin prowess, showed his batting prowess with a brilliant century. He reached the milestone with a boundary off Taijul Islam and finished the day with a magnificent 123 runs, his fourth Test century.
Pujara's Steady Contribution
Pujara, the wall of Indian batting, played his part to perfection. He remained unbeaten on 90 at the close of play, forming a crucial partnership with Rishabh Pant (46*), who was on the offensive.
Bangladesh's Bowling Woes
Bangladesh's bowling attack struggled to contain the Indian batsmen, particularly against Ashwin. Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz were the only bowlers to pick up wickets. Taskin Ahmed and Khaled Ahmed failed to make any meaningful impact, leaving Bangladesh frustrated.
India Ends Day 1 Strong
At the end of Day 1, India ended their innings with a score of 278/6, setting a strong foundation for the rest of the match. Ashwin's century and Pujara's resilience set the tone for a dominant performance, putting India in a strong position to take control of the game.
Key Highlights:
- Ashwin's century: The veteran off-spinner's century was the highlight of the day, demonstrating his all-round abilities.
- Pujara's resilience: Pujara's patient innings laid the foundation for India's strong first innings total.
- Bangladesh's bowling woes: The Bangladeshi bowlers struggled to contain the Indian batsmen, particularly against Ashwin.
- India's strong position: India ended the day on top, with a strong first innings score and a dominant performance overall.
What to Look for on Day 2:
- Can India build on their strong start?
- Will Bangladesh be able to turn the tide?
- Can Ashwin and Pujara continue their partnerships?
The second day of the match promises to be an exciting one as Bangladesh looks to make a comeback while India seeks to strengthen their grip on the game.
