New Delhi: The first Test between India and Bangladesh got underway at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday. The day turned out to be in balance as both sides had their chances in the game before the Indian all-rounder duo Ravichandran Ashwin (102*) and Ravindra Jadeja (86*) did the rescue acts for their team. The right-left combination proved out to be a table-turner for Bangladesh who started off on a bright note with early wickets.
At stumps on Day 1, India were 339/6 after 80 overs. Earlier, Bangladesh had won the toss and decided to field first, hoping to utilise the fresh pitch conditions. They ultimately did as right-arm pacer Hasan Mahmud left the Indian top order rattled with his searing pace, sending back the likes of skipper Rohit Sharma (6), Shubman Gill (0), and Virat Kohli (6).
Yashasvi Jaiswal (56) and Rishabh Pant (39) did the rebuilding with KL Rahul adding 16 to the Indian scoreboard. The team was reduced to 144/6 in 42.2 overs and that is when the Indian spin-allrounders rose to the occasion, taking advantage of a deteriorating pitch and using the Bangladesh spin to their favour with classy shots that sailed towards the boundary.
Both have hit 10 fours and two sixes each in what turned out to be a quickfire 195* run partnership for the seventh wicket, leaving the visitors in dismay after giving them an early confidence boost. Nonetheless, it would be highly interesting to watch out for how the second day fares out for both teams. What could be on the cards for India and will Bangladesh be able to fight back?
What to expect on Chennai Test Day 2?
While it would be too brave to assume a double hundred for Ashwin, who majorly built his ton on Day 1 taking on the Bangladesh spinners, the fact certainly can’t be ruled out. Ashwin showed great temperament and moreover, the local lad knows the Chepauk ground inside out which he has already shown on the first day itself. His shot selection and opting for the deliveries whether to face it or leave it has been pretty impressive.
The way with which Ashwin is batting is all that a batter needs in this format and now that he has got the tone, he would just have to survive the initial pace attack, running in the middle to wait for the spin, which could be in the team’s favour as well. Meanwhile, Jadeja, who is nearing his century, will have to do just what he has been doing since he took the crease – provide good support from the other end, and a century could be easily witnessed in the first session itself on Day 2.
Can Bangladesh bounce back?
As much as one hates it, the odds still lie in Bangladesh’s favour who could use the fresh conditions to their benefit, giving India early dents like the previous day and easily wrapping up their innings well before 400. It is just Ashwin and Jadeja standing in their way as India don’t have any batting left after them. It would be the responsibility of Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, and Taskin Ahmed to get their team early breakthroughs that could sum up the Indian innings within the mid-second session if not the first session itself. Mahmud would certainly look to complete a five-wicket haul.
Expected pitch and weather conditions
Now that the pitch has already been used for a full day, without any rain interruption, it would traditionally deteriorate even more, bringing more spin attacks into action. The new ball will definitely give the pace benefit and taking into consideration the Chennai weather, the fast bowlers can use the green grass on it to swing the ball.
Chepauk track helps spinners at large and even the weather on Friday (Day 2) is expected to be “sunny” but there is a chance of a thundershower in the afternoon, as per AccuWeather which would bring back moisture into the play, and thus the pacers showing their prowess, even with the used ball.
India ended Day 1 on a high as Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja steered the Indian innings against Bangladesh to rescue the team from 144/6 with a terrific and unbeaten hundred and half-century respectively. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
