The dust has settled on the enthralling 1st Test match between India and Bangladesh at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. India emerged victorious by a convincing margin, putting on a dominant display with both bat and ball.
India Batting Dominance
India’s batting prowess was on full display throughout the match. Openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill provided a solid foundation in the first innings, while a brilliant century from the returning Rishabh Pant and a gritty unbeaten knock from Gill in the second innings propelled India to a mammoth total. Ashwin, batting at number six, continued his stellar form with a century in the first innings, showcasing his all-round abilities.
Bangladesh's Bowling Woes
Bangladesh’s bowlers struggled to contain the Indian batsmen throughout the match. While Mehidy Hasan Miraz impressed with his wicket-taking abilities, the lack of penetration from the other bowlers proved costly. The dropped catch of Pant by skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto in the second innings proved to be a turning point, allowing the wicket-keeper batsman to go on and score a crucial century.
India's Clinical Bowling Performance
India’s bowling attack, led by the experienced Ashwin, was disciplined and effective. Ashwin continued his wicket-taking spree in the second innings, while the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami kept the pressure on the Bangladeshi batsmen. The fielding unit, too, played a crucial role, taking some sharp catches to put Bangladesh under further pressure.
Match Summary
India, after posting a formidable total of 376 runs in their first innings, bundled out Bangladesh for a meager 149 runs. In their second innings, India declared at 287/4, setting Bangladesh a mammoth target of 515 runs. The visitors showed some fight in their chase, but eventually fell short, succumbing to the Indian bowling attack for 158 runs.
India’s emphatic victory in the 1st Test has put them in a strong position to win the series. The win also marks the successful return of Rishabh Pant to Test cricket and further strengthens India’s batting line-up.