On the opening day of the Test series between India and Bangladesh, India managed a remarkable recovery from a precarious 144 for 6 to finish at 339 for 6 by stumps. The day's play at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai was marked by unusual weather conditions, with thick clouds covering the city and a pitch tinged with green, creating 'London-like' conditions. This set the stage for a dramatic contest, with Bangladesh's captain Najmul Hossain Shanto opting to bowl first after winning the toss—an unusual decision in Chennai, which had not seen such a move in 42 years.
Bangladesh's pacers capitalized on the conditions in the first two sessions, putting India under significant pressure. The day initially seemed to favor the visitors, with Indian batsmen struggling against the seam and swing. However, as the day progressed, India’s reliable all-rounders R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja turned the tide. Their stellar partnership of 195 runs for the seventh wicket turned a potentially disastrous situation into a formidable position for India. Their stand not only saved the Indian innings but also set up a strong platform for the rest of the match.
R Ashwin was particularly impressive, scoring his second Test century at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, and doing so with remarkable speed—reaching his milestone in just 108 balls. His innings of 100* included 10 boundaries and 2 sixes, demonstrating his aggressive intent and technical prowess. Ashwin's performance was a thrilling spectacle for the local crowd, as he played with the confidence and flair that have become his trademark. This century made Ashwin only the third Indian batter to score hundreds in consecutive Test matches at this iconic venue, following in the footsteps of legends like Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar.
Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja, who played the supporting role, remained unbeaten on 86. Jadeja's role was crucial; he provided valuable support to Ashwin and managed to score freely, pushing the scoreboard along while also offering solid resistance against the Bangladesh bowlers. The partnership between Ashwin and Jadeja was significant not only for its size but also for its timing, coming at a moment when the Indian innings was in jeopardy.
The duo's performance was a testament to their batting capabilities, and they became the second pair of Indian batsmen to aggregate 500-plus runs for the seventh wicket or lower at home in Test cricket, joining the ranks of Kapil Dev and Syed Kirmani.
Earlier in the day, India's top order had faltered under the challenging conditions. Bangladesh’s Hasan Mahmud was particularly effective, taking advantage of the conditions to dismiss key Indian batsmen. Rohit Sharma fell for just six, Shubman Gill was dismissed for a duck, and Virat Kohli, making his return to Test cricket, managed only six runs before getting out. India’s innings were in disarray at 34 for 3.
Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal tried to steady the ship with a partnership of 62 runs for the fourth wicket. Pant, returning to Test cricket after nearly two years, showed glimpses of his aggressive batting style with a knock of 39, including six boundaries. However, a lapse in concentration led to his dismissal after lunch. KL Rahul, who had been selected ahead of Sarfaraz Khan, contributed 16 runs but struggled to gain momentum. His performance was under scrutiny as he failed to rotate the strike effectively.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had scored a fifty, was dismissed by the tall pacer Nahid Rana in the second session, unable to convert his start into a bigger score. Despite the challenges, Ashwin and Jadeja’s partnership ensured that the day belonged to India, setting a strong foundation for the remaining days of the Test.
In summary, the first day of the Test showcased a dramatic turnaround, with Ashwin and Jadeja leading India’s fightback and providing a crucial boost to the team's position after a tough start.
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