IND vs BAN, 1st Test: Ashwin, Jadeja Steer India to Strong Position on Day 1 After Top-Order Collapse

Chennai: The opening day of the Test series between India and Bangladesh in Chennai saw some unexpected developments. The pitch had an unusual greenish hue on a cloudy day in Chennai. Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto became the first in 42 years to win the toss and choose to bowl in Chennai, taking advantage of the overcast conditions.

Bangladesh’s pacer Hasan Mahmud exploited the conditions, dismantling India’s top-order. Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli were dismissed cheaply, leaving India reeling at 34 for 3. Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal tried to steady the ship, adding 62 runs for the fourth wicket, but Pant’s dismissal for 39 shortly after lunch gave Bangladesh the upper hand again.

The Indian innings took a drastic turn after the entry of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. The all-rounders counterattacked, lifting India from 144 for 6 to a commanding 339 for 6 by stumps.

Ashwin, playing at his home ground, delighted the Chennai crowd with his sixth Test century. He reached the milestone in just 108 balls, hitting 10 boundaries and two sixes. Jadeja, meanwhile, played a patient knock, remaining unbeaten on 86 by the end of the day.

Ashwin and Jadeja shared an unbeaten 195-run stand, their second century partnership for the seventh wicket in Tests. Their efforts not only rescued India but also frustrated Bangladesh, who had hoped to bowl India out cheaply after an excellent start to the day.

Earlier in the day, India’s top order struggled against Bangladesh’s pace attack. Rohit fell for 6, Gill for 0, and Kohli managed just 6 runs in his comeback Test. Hasan Mahmud, who was the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh, ended with figures of 4 for 67.

India will resume Day 2 in a strong position, thanks to the Ashwin-Jadeja rescue act, looking to build on their first-innings total and put pressure on Bangladesh.