The day 1 ind vs ban test at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, was full of ups and downs. Bangladesh’s bold decision to bowl first looked like a masterstroke as they ripped through India’s top order. But by the end of the day, India’s lower-middle order, led by Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, had shifted the momentum back in their favor. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the action from day 1 of the ind vs ban test.
Bangladesh Opts to Bowl First
The day began with an unusual decision from Bangladesh captain Najmul Shanto, who won the toss and chose to bowl. Typically, teams prefer to bat first in India, where pitches become more difficult for batting in the later stages of a Test match. However, the slightly green and damp surface, combined with overcast skies, encouraged Bangladesh to test India’s batsmen early.
India’s Top Order Stumbles Early
Bangladesh’s bowlers made an immediate impact, with Hasan Mahmud leading the charge. India quickly found themselves in trouble at 34/3. Mahmud’s controlled line and length, combined with gentle seam movement, dismantled India’s top order. Rohit Sharma was the first to go, edging a ball to second slip after being thoroughly tested. Shubman Gill, too, couldn’t settle, falling for a cheap score after just eight balls. Virat Kohli, full of intent, played a risky shot and edged a ball away from his body, leaving India in further trouble.
At this point, it looked like Bangladesh’s decision to bowl first was the right one. Mahmud’s spell was reminiscent of Vernon Philander, as he consistently troubled the Indian batsmen. Despite some inconsistent bowling from the other end, Bangladesh managed to keep India on the back foot.
Jaiswal and Pant Steady the Ship
After the early collapse, India briefly recovered thanks to Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant. The two young batsmen added 62 valuable runs for the fourth wicket. Jaiswal looked calm and composed, continuing his excellent home form with his sixth consecutive 50+ score in India. Pant, returning to Test cricket after nearly 700 days, played with his usual aggression and brought the momentum back to India.
However, right after lunch, Pant’s aggressive intent led to his downfall. He played an afterthought of a cut shot and was dismissed, bringing Bangladesh back into the game. Jaiswal, too, fell shortly after, nicking a delivery from Nahid Rana that had extra pace. By this point, India was struggling again at 144/6, and Bangladesh looked to be in control.
Ashwin and Jadeja’s Brilliant Rescue Act
At 144/6, India seemed to be on the brink of a disastrous collapse. But then, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja stepped up to stage a stunning recovery. Ashwin, batting in front of his home crowd in Chennai, quickly shifted the momentum with a counter-attacking approach. He played some brilliant shots, including crisp drives and powerful pulls, that left the Bangladesh bowlers searching for answers.
Jadeja, on the other hand, played a more patient knock, taking his time to get set before opening up. Together, Ashwin and Jadeja added an unbeaten 195-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Ashwin was the more aggressive of the two, reaching his sixth Test century in just 108 balls, much to the delight of the Chennai crowd. Jadeja, who remained unbeaten on 86 at stumps, provided steady support from the other end.
As the ball got softer and the Bangladesh bowlers tired, runs began to flow more easily for the pair. The spinners, in particular, struggled to control the game and provided easy boundary opportunities. This allowed India to finish the day on a strong 339/6 after a shaky start.
Bangladesh’s Bowling: Mahmud Shines, Others Struggle
While Hasan Mahmud was the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh, taking 4/58, the other bowlers struggled to maintain the same level of control. Mahmud’s tight line and disciplined bowling kept India on their toes, but inconsistent performances from Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana allowed India to rebuild. The spinners, too, failed to offer any control or pressure, leaving Bangladesh without a full attack to back Mahmud’s efforts.
Although Bangladesh’s bowlers managed to break India’s top order, they couldn’t maintain the pressure once Ashwin and Jadeja took control. By the end of the day, their earlier efforts had been undone by India’s resilient lower-order batting.
Key Turning Points on Day 1
- Bangladesh’s decision to bowl first: Opting to bowl in India is always a gamble, but Bangladesh backed their bowlers, and the early wickets justified the decision.
- Hasan Mahmud’s opening spell: Mahmud’s ability to swing the ball both ways and control his length created immense pressure on India’s top order.
- Ashwin-Jadeja partnership: At 144/6, Bangladesh seemed to be on top, but the unbeaten 195-run stand between Ashwin and Jadeja completely changed the game.
- India’s lower-order fightback: India’s lower-middle order once again showed its depth and resilience, turning what could have been a low total into a competitive score.
What to Expect on Day 2
As day 1 of the ind vs ban test came to an end, India found themselves in a much stronger position than they were earlier in the day. Bangladesh will need to strike early on Day 2 if they want to prevent Ashwin and Jadeja from extending their partnership further. India, on the other hand, will be looking to push their total past 400 and put the pressure back on Bangladesh when it’s their turn to bat.
With the pitch still offering some assistance to the bowlers, Day 2 promises more action as Bangladesh’s batsmen will have to face India’s strong bowling attack.
Conclusion
The day 1 ind vs ban test was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both teams having their moments of dominance. Bangladesh’s bowlers started strong, but it was Ashwin and Jadeja’s heroics that defined the day. As we look ahead to Day 2, it’s clear that this Test match is far from over, with plenty of twists and turns yet to come. Bangladesh will need to find a way to break the Ashwin-Jadeja stand early, while India will look to continue their momentum.