Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and captain Rohit Sharma walk back to pavilion after winning the first test match against Bangladesh in Chennai on September 22, 2024
| Photo Credit: R. Ragu

With the indulgent dexterity of tucking into a Sunday morning brunch, India dismantled Bangladesh in the first Test here at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium. On the fourth day, the lone point of interest was centred around how long the visitor would resist a seemingly inevitable defeat.

That question was answered well before the crockery was set for lunch as India needed a mere 24.5 overs to pocket the remaining six wickets. The target of 515 remained unsurmountable and Najmul Hossain Shanto’s men were bowled out for 234 in the second innings while the host won by 280 runs.

The penultimate day with its foregone conclusion still drew in the crowds as 15,365 fans trooped into the venue. Resuming at the overnight 158 for four, Bangladesh remained unscathed till the first drinks break as Najmul and Shakib Al Hasan hung in. The latter drove Mohammed Siraj for four and the seamer kept testing Najmul with angled deliveries and sharp words.

Soon it proved to be the proverbial lull before the storm, and one initiated by the slow art of annihilation practised by R. Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. At one point, Shakib charged at Jadeja, missed the line and Rishabh Pant failed to effect a stumping. On 17 then, Shakib did not last long as Ashwin drew an edge that Yashasvi Jaiswal caught well in the close-in cordon.

Placed at 194 for five, Bangladesh added 40 runs while the wickets kept tumbling. Litton Das feathered Jadeja straight to an exultant Rohit Sharma at first slip. Mehidy Hasan Miraz gave the charge to Ashwin and found Jadeja waiting in the deep. And from the other end, skipper Najmul watched in dismay.

Having played some lovely strokes besides remaining patient, the batter (82) then tried to loft one off Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah scrambled to pouch a good catch. The tail wilted immediately with some wild swipes and Man-of-the-Match Ashwin bagged a six-for.

These wickets in tandem with his remarkable first innings ton, made this Chepauk encounter yet another special outing at home for the local boy. A few waves to the stands were Ashwin’s way of expressing gratitude in what may be his last Test in his backyard.

India leads the two-match series at 1-0 with the second and final Test commencing at Kanpur on September 27. Bangladesh came in with a 2-0 Test series triumph in Pakistan but taking on India in its backyard is never easy. Over the last few decades, many pedigreed squads have learnt it the hard way and now it was time for the eastern neighbour to imbibe some tough lessons.

Scoreboard

India – 1st innings: 376 in 91.2 overs.

Bangladesh – 1st innings: 149 in 47.1 overs.

India – 2nd innings: 287 for four declared in 64 overs.

Bangladesh – 2nd innings: Zakir Hasan c Jaiswal b Bumrah 33 (47b, 5×4, 1×6), Shadman Islam c Gill b Ashwin 35 (68b, 3×4), Najmul Hossain Shanto c Bumrah b Jadeja 82 (127b, 8×4, 3×6), Mominul Haque b Ashwin 13 (24b, 3×4), Mushfiqur Rahim c Rahul b Ashwin 13 (11b, 1×4, 1×6), Shakib Al Hasan c Jaiswal b Ashwin 25 (56b, 84m, 3×4), Litton Das c Rohit b Jadeja 1 (10b), Mehidy Hasan Miraz c Jadeja b Ashwin 8 (10b, 1×4), Taskin Ahmed c Siraj b Ashwin 5 (4b, 1×4), Hasan Mahmud b Jadeja 7 (14b, 1×4), Nahid Rana (not out) 0 (2b). Extras (b-5, lb-7): 12

Total (all out in 62.1 overs): 234.

Fall of wickets: 1-62 (Zakir, 16.2 overs), 2-86 (Shadman, 21.3), 3-124 (Mominul, 29.6), 4-146 (Mushfiqur, 33.4), 5-194 (Shakib, 51.4), 6-205 (Litton, 54.4), 7-222 (Mehidy, 57.5), 8-222 (Najmul, 58.6), 9-228 (Taskin, 59.5).

India bowling: Bumrah 10-2-24-1, Siraj 10-5-32-0, Akash 6-0-20-0, Ashwin 21-0-88-6, Jadeja 15.1-2-58-3.

India’s Hardik Pandya after getting injured during the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup ODI match between India and Bangladesh at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune, on October 19, 2023.
| Photo Credit: K. R. Deepak

Hardik Pandya’s sprained his left foot during India’s facile win against Bangladesh on Thursday may result in dealing a severe blow for India’s hope of regaining the World Cup.

Hardik, the allrounder who is one of the most vital cogs for India’s team balance, hurt himself while attempting to stop a return drive in his opening over. Soon after being treated by the physio, Hardik attempted a run-up but aborted it midway before heading back into the dressing room in visible despair.

Virat Kohli completed the unfinished over after Hardik returned to the dressing room 49 minutes into the game. Almost an hour later, the Indian team management confirmed he had been taken to a hospital for a scan.

While captain Rohit Sharma told the host broadcaster there’s “nothing major” about Hardik’s injury after the game, a team spokesperson reiterated that the medical team was “monitoring” Hardik while “awaiting the scan results”.

The Hindu understands that Hardik returned to the stadium around the innings break. While his foot was heavily strapped, he was not required to bat as India’s top three – led by Virat Kohli’s unbeaten hundred – made short work of a below-par target of 257 at the Maharashtra Cricket Association international stadium.

With India set to play New Zealand in a crucial tie on Sunday, it will be interesting to see India’s combination should Hardik be unavailable. In his absence, India will be forced to play five specialist bowlers and add a specialist batter in the line-up.

Hardik Pandya being given medical treatment after injuring his left ankle while bowling during India’s match against Bangladesh in the ICC World Cup 2023 at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on October 19, 2023.
| Photo Credit: ANI

In a major injury scare for India, star all-rounder Hardik Pandya hobbled off the field after twisting his ankle while bowling his first over in a World Cup match against Bangladesh in Pune on Thursday (October 19).

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Pandya suffered the injury during the third delivery of the ninth over when he attempted to stop a straight drive from Bangladesh opener Litton Das with his right foot in his follow-through.

He twisted his ankle as the ball passed under his leg and he stumbled to the ground.

On air, former England captain Nasser Hussain confirmed that Pandya will not be taking the field for the remainder of Bangladesh innings.

A little later, BCCI in it medical update, said: “Hardik Pandya’s injury is being assessed at the moment and he is being taken for scans”.

Pandya felt discomfort from the moment he stood up before getting his right ankle strapped, resulting in in a long delay. He hobbled towards his bowling mark before realising that he could not carry on and walked off the field.

Suryakumar Yadav came in as the substitute fielder.

Virat Kohli bowls in an ODI for the first time since 2017

Much to the cheer of the crowd, Virat Kohli rolled his arm over to complete the over. This was the first time after six years (2017) when Kohli rolled his arm in an ODI.

The Indian team management will be anxiously waiting for the result of Pandya’s scans as he lends a critical balance to the team composition.

He has been used as the first change option ahead of Shardul Thakur. With India’s top order firing, Pandya has not had much to do at number six but his batting skills are as important as his seam bowling.