The opening day of the first Test between India and Bangladesh in Chennai saw a remarkable turnaround for India, thanks to a stellar partnership between Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Despite a shaky start, India ended Day 1 at a commanding 339/6, with Ashwin’s unbeaten ton (113*) and Jadeja’s solid 86* guiding the hosts to a strong position.
India vs Bangladesh Match Highlights and Timeline
India vs Bangladesh Morning Session: India’s Top-Order Collapse
- Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bowl, a decision that seemed justified early on. Indian openers struggled against the Bangladeshi pace attack.
- Hasan Mahmud struck first, removing Rohit Sharma for 13 (India 29/1). Shortly after, he claimed Shubman Gill for just 18, leaving India wobbling at 50/2.
- Despite brief resistance from Virat Kohli (25), Mahmud continued to cause problems, taking his third wicket and reducing India to 88/3.
- By lunch, India had slumped to 104/4, with both Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane (13) back in the pavilion.
India vs Bangladesh Afternoon Session: Further Troubles for India
- The second session saw India’s middle-order crumble as Bangladesh kept the pressure on. KL Rahul (16) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (56) attempted to stabilize the innings with a promising partnership.
- Jaiswal’s well-fought 56 came to an end when Mahid Rana dismissed him, and soon after, Mehidy Hasan sent Rahul back, leaving India at a precarious 144/6.
India vs Bangladesh Ashwin and Jadeja’s Stand – A Turning Point
- Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja came together when India was struggling at 144/6, and what followed was a brilliant 195-run partnership that shifted the momentum.
- Ashwin, who survived an early scare against Taskin Ahmed’s fiery pace, began playing with remarkable fluency. He reached his 50 off just 58 balls, playing both spin and pace with ease.
- Jadeja, known for his composure in such situations, supported Ashwin with a balanced approach, reaching his own half-century with a boundary and bringing out his famous sword celebration.
India vs Bangladesh Evening Session: Ashwin’s Ton and India’s Surge
- As the day progressed, Ashwin shifted gears, smashing boundaries with effortless ease. His 6th Test hundred came off just 108 balls, a knock studded with elegant strokes all around the park.
- Jadeja too accelerated, hammering a six and a four in quick succession. The duo’s partnership brought India past the 300-run mark, with Ashwin launching a huge six over deep mid-wicket to achieve the milestone.
- By the close of play, India had reached 339/6, with Ashwin unbeaten on 113* and Jadeja on 86*. The pair looked in complete control, eyeing a total of over 400 on Day 2.
India vs Bangladesh Key Moments
- Hasan Mahmud’s Early Burst: Mahmud’s four wickets put India on the backfoot early in the day.
- Ashwin’s 6th Test Century: A remarkable knock under pressure, Ashwin’s ton came in just 108 balls.
- Jadeja’s All-Round Contribution: Jadeja’s unbeaten 86* included calculated strokes that frustrated the Bangladeshi attack.
At the end of Day 1, India’s recovery from 144/6 to 339/6 is a testament to Ashwin and Jadeja’s resilience. Bangladesh will need early wickets on Day 2 to halt India’s charge towards a formidable total.
