India vs Bangladesh: Ashwin, Jadeja Steer IND to 339
India secured a comfortable 339-run lead over Bangladesh in the first Test at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Friday, thanks to a century from Cheteshwar Pujara and crucial contributions from Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
Pujara's Resurgence:
Cheteshwar Pujara, who has been struggling for form, finally found his rhythm in the first Test. He amassed a well-deserved century, his 19th in Test cricket, scoring 102 runs off 223 balls. His innings were crucial in giving India a strong foundation after they were struggling at 113-3.
Jadeja's All-Round Brilliance:
Ravindra Jadeja continued his impressive form, picking up 4-43 with the ball and then contributing a crucial 51 runs with the bat. His all-round performance was instrumental in putting Bangladesh under pressure and giving India a substantial lead.
Ashwin's Dominance:
Ravichandran Ashwin, the master of spin bowling, also played a key role in India's victory. He took 3-57, adding to Bangladesh's woes. He was relentless in his pursuit of wickets, and his accuracy was a major factor in India's domination.
Bangladesh's Struggles:
Bangladesh struggled throughout the innings, unable to withstand the Indian bowlers' attack. They lost wickets at regular intervals, and their batting lineup failed to put up a fight. Notably, their captain, Shakib Al Hasan, was dismissed for a duck.
India's Dominance:
India, on the other hand, looked completely dominant throughout the match. Their bowlers were relentless in their pursuit of wickets, while their batsmen played with composure and aggression. Their lead of 339 runs gives them a significant advantage going into the second innings.
The Road Ahead:
While India is in a commanding position, the Bangladesh team will need to regroup and come back strongly in the second innings. The team needs to find a way to counter India's spinners and put up a challenging score to give themselves a chance to level the series.
This Test match has highlighted the dominance of the Indian team, particularly their spin bowling attack. However, the challenge for India is to maintain this level of performance and secure a victory in the remaining matches.
