It was the Ashwin-Jadeja show for India on Day 1 of the first test between India and Bangladesh in Chennai. An exceptional century by the hometown boy R Ashwin who was well accompanied by Chennai’s very own Ravindra Jadeja led India out of deep trouble on Day 1.

The spin duo, this time with the bat were part of a record partnership for the seventh wicket, which helped India gain momentum after they had been forced to play catch-up in the opening two sessions. Hasan Mahmud’s sharp bowling saw India reduced to 144 for 6, despite a fifty from Yashasvi Jaiswal. However, on the first day of play at Stumps, both batters orchestrated a brilliant counterattack, scoring 195 runs in just 227 balls to drive India to 339/6.

Opting to bowl, Bangladesh managed some early inroads dismissing the Indian skipper followed by Gill and the big fish Virat Kohli. Pant who was returning to test cricket post a long break was tested initially but soon got going to stitch an integral partnership of 62 runs alongside Jaiswal. Pant was dismissed playing a false shot to a good length that had some width to offer. KL Rahul did not trouble the scorers much either giving a catch to short leg off Mehidy.

India finished the first two sessions with just 88 runs each and three wickets lost but with the fervor of Ashwin and Jadeja—who combined for 20 fours and four sixes—the hosts prevailed, scoring 163 runs at an average of more than five an over in the third session.

Bangladesh would be very much disappointed with how the day panned out after an exciting first two sessions. One more wicket and the floodgates would have opened for the visitors to make a strong statement on Day 1. However, India on the other hand would be looking to add to the scoreboard on Day 2 and take the score up to 450 or more in order to gain a commanding position.

Brief scores: India 339/6 (Ravichandran Ashwin 102*, Ravindra Jadeja 86*, Yashasvi Jaiswal 56; Hasan Mahmud 4-58)

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