R Ashwin showcased his all-round prowess with a stellar performance in the Chennai Test, leading India’s charge with a six-wicket haul to complement his marvellous century. Ravindra Jadeja supported brilliantly, taking three crucial scalps as India secured a commanding 280-run victory over Bangladesh, underscoring their supremacy on home soil.
The visitors embarked on the daunting fourth morning needing 357 more runs to achieve an unlikely victory. However, both Najmul Hasan Shanto and Shakib Al Hasan exhibited resilience in the initial phase. Surviving the barrage from Mohammad Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah, the left-handers deflected multiple testing deliveries skillfully. Jadeja, from the other end, kept the pressure mounting with his tricky deliveries that aimed at the rough patches outside the off-stump. His deliveries not only tested the batters but presented a significant challenge to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, who missed a critical stumping opportunity off a Shakib delivery.
In an effort to unsettle Jadeja, Shakib and Shanto deployed sweeps, securing some crucial boundaries and building a partnership of 48 runs. Nevertheless, the breakthrough India sought was imminent. As R Ashwin entered the attack, he immediately struck gold. Shakib, attempting to defend, inside-edged a ball to short leg, heralding the collapse of the Bangladeshi batting line-up. The spin twins, Ashwin and Jadeja, operating in tandem, exerted relentless pressure, probing both edges of the bat with precision and consistency.
Litton Das, after a brief struggle, succumbed to Jadeja’s persistence, edging a delivery to slip. Mehidy Hasan followed shortly, opting for an ambitious hit but only managing to find long-on, granting Ashwin his 37th Test five-wicket haul, placing him on par with legendary spinner Shane Warne in the all-time list. Ashwin’s dominance was further highlighted as Taskin Ahmed, trying to slog his way out of trouble, top-edged into the waiting hands of a fielder, accelerating the end of Bangladesh’s innings.
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With the match swiftly drawing to a close, Jadeja sealed the victory by getting past Hasan Mahmud’s wild attempt at a slog, not only stretching India’s lead to 1-0 in the two-Test series but also bringing his career wicket tally to an impressive 299 in Tests. India’s comprehensive victory was built on collective proficiency in all departments, highlighting their ruthless efficiency.
In reviewing the match statistics, India’s initial innings saw a robust total of 376, thanks to R Ashwin, whose well-constructed 113 was complemented by Jadeja’s solid 86 and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s commendable 56. For Bangladesh, Hasan Mahmud’s effort with the ball was noteworthy, picking up five wickets for 83 runs, albeit in a losing cause.
India’s declaration at 287 for 4 in their second innings was dominated by a century from the young and dynamic Shubman Gill, who remained unbeaten on 119, and a sparkling 109 from Rishabh Pant, whose aggressive approach put Bangladesh on the back foot.
In reply, Bangladesh’s batting efforts were spearheaded by Najmul Hossain Shanto, who compiled a resistant 82, but with little support from his fellow batsmen against the relentless Indian bowling attack. Bumrah’s four-wicket haul in the first innings ensured Bangladesh were bundled out for a paltry 149. The story of their second innings was no different, collapsing for 234 under the might of Ashwin’s six-wicket masterclass and Jadeja’s ever-reliable spin.
Reflecting on the match, India exhibited dominance from start to finish, leveraging their home conditions to perfection. The match saw not just individual brilliance but also collective synergy – from the robust opening partnerships to the disciplined middle-order performances, and ultimately, the lethal bowling attack.
As India looks ahead to the second Test of the series, confidence will be high following such a comprehensive victory. Bangladesh, on the other hand, will need to reassess and recalibrate their strategies, seeking ways to counter the formidable Indian side and avoid a series whitewash.
The emphatic win not only gives India a 1-0 lead but also reinforces their position as a dominant force in Test cricket, particularly in home conditions where their spin arsenal proves nearly insurmountable. With Ashwin and Jadeja at the peak of their powers, the Indian team remains a formidable challenger for any opposition.