India’s unbeaten streak in Test cricket continued with a resounding 280-run victory over Bangladesh in the opening match of the series in Chennai. Captain Rohit Sharma attributed this dominance to the depth and variety in the team’s bowling attack. Despite a hiatus from the longest format, spanning six months, the Indian team adapted seamlessly, showcasing their versatility and effectiveness in both innings.
In the first inning, India’s fast bowlers, spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah, dismantled the Bangladeshi line-up, restricting them to a mere 149. Rohit praised his seamers for thriving in the pace-friendly conditions of Chennai’s red-soil wicket. “No matter what the conditions are, whether we play in India or outside, we want to build the team around [bowling],” Rohit stated in the post-match press conference. “Whatever the condition has to offer, we got to be ready for it. Over the past few years, no matter where we’ve played, we’ve ensured that our bowling options, whether seam or spin, are versatile and effective.”
Chennai presented unique challenges with its red-soil pitches offering good pace and bounce in the early days, before progressively favoring spinners. R. Ashwin exemplified this adaptability, returning to form with stellar performances in both innings. After scoring a century in the first innings, he took a six-wicket haul in the second, underlining his intrinsic value to the team.
Rohit emphasized that the team’s strategy hinges on readiness and adaptability to different conditions, crediting the bowlers for their unwavering commitment. “You have to give credit to the guys. Whenever there is a responsibility, they never shy away from it. They want to put their hand up and get the job done for the team,” he asserted.
Ashwin, detailing the dynamics of the pitch, highlighted the challenges and advantages of playing on red-soil wickets. “Look, I think this pitch, even if you bowl good balls, you will go for runs. But the bounce is going to be quite daunting,” he explained. Ashwin acknowledged that India had lost several red-soil pitches over the years, which had been key components of Test cricket in the country. Red-soil pitches, he pointed out, offer substantial bounce and rewards for spin bowlers who apply revs, unlike some black clay surfaces which yield fewer results.
“You play on some black clay surfaces around the country, without naming them, and you have to do a lot of hard work. Put a lot of revs and see nothing come out of it,” he continued.
. The varied nature of Indian pitches, he argued, requires substantial learning and adaptation. “Like I said, this one’s got solid bounce. And I would anyway play on a surface like this and get hit, then play on another surface.”
Ashwin then touched upon the misconception of India having homogeneous cricketing conditions. He explained that different venues across the country offer diverse playing experiences. “The beauty of playing on good surfaces like this… people often make the mistake of grouping India as a whole. India has a lot of foreign soil,” he observed. Whether it’s Ranchi, Eden Gardens, or Dharamsala, the weather and soil variations create unique challenges for players.
While Rohit emphasized the bowlers’ contribution, he also lavished praise on Rishabh Pant. Returning to the Test format after a significant hiatus due to injuries from a car crash in December 2022, Pant marked his comeback with a century. “He’s been through some really tough times. The way he has managed himself through those tough times was superb to watch,” Rohit remarked. “He came back in the IPL, followed by a very successful World Cup, and this is the format he loves the most.”
Rohit stressed that the team never doubted Pant’s abilities with the bat and gloves. “For us, it was never about what he is going to do with the bat; we always knew what he had with the bat and with the gloves as well. It was just about giving him the game time,” he said. Pant’s return was marked by his impactful performance in the Test, driven by his disciplined preparation, which included playing in the Duleep Trophy.
The victory in Chennai wasn’t just a testament to India’s preparation and versatility but also highlighted the team’s depth and resilience in overcoming varied challenges presented by different playing conditions. With the captain’s faith firmly placed in building a team around strong bowling options, India looks poised to maintain its dominant run in the Test arena.