India wrapped up an all encompassing win over a spiritless Bangladesh on Day 4 of the 1st Test at Mirpur as well as with R. Ashwin finishing with stunning figures of 6 for 88.
Ravindra Jadeja with a 3 for 58, then kicked the tail from there out to wrap up Bangladesh’s unconventional innings and India’s win by an innings follows on in the fourth day of their one-off Test.
Key Stats:
- Ashwin: 6 for 88, his 37th five-wicket haul.
- Jadeja: 3 for 58, crucial contributions with the ball.
- Pant: 109 runs from 124 balls, aggressive batting.
- Gill: 102 runs, steady and composed knock.
The Ashwin-Jadeja trap
Image Credit: India Today
| Bowler | Wickets | Runs Conceded |
|---|
| Ravichandran Ashwin | 6 | 88 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 3 | 58 |
Ravichandran Ashwin,’ who went wickedness in the first innings, came back powerfully on Day 4.
The oldtimer off-spinner took reward of the turn approachable on the track, grabbing his 37th five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Just as powerful was Jadeja, who ended up with three wickets for 58, blowing away the Bangladesh top order.
Opening the day with long batters Najmal Hsssian Shanto and captain Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh seemed to have weathered away the early spells of Esprit Burch and Mohamed Sire.
The insighful impact of Ashwin could not be ignored in the end, as he regaled crucial wickets even in these unhelpful conditions, including that of a well-set Shanto (82 from 124 balls).
Once Ashwin got his rhythm, it was a mere formality and the lower order crumbled like a pack of cards, with wickets falling in a heap.
Shakib (38) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz tried to offer some resistance but Jadeja, as he so often does, came up with critical interventions which left Bangladesh clueless.
The visitors soon wrapped the match as they bowled out the home side for 231 in their second innings, way short of India’s massive total.
Related Article : IND vs. BAN 1st Test Day 3: Play Halted Due to Bad Light, Bangladesh Face Uphill Battle
India’s Exceptional Comeback After a Day 1 Disaster
It was not as though India scaled to victory when they did so on the fourth morning. The visitors were tested when they crashed to 144 for six on the first day, with Bangladesh fast bowlers having their time in the sun.
But then the unlikely pair of Ashwin and Jadeja resurrected the innings from 127 for six with a mammoth seventh-wicket stand. The 199-run stand resurrected India, bringing them back to level in the contest and into a match-ruling position.
Jadeja was the pillar of this fightback, scoring a determined 90, while Ashwin contributed with an important 65. India made 383 on the back of the partnership, and that took them to within touching distance of winning.
Bangladesh never came to terms with the India total from there on. Bangladesh kept losing wickets at regular intervals during their first innings, scoring only 149 runs, thanks to a haywire Indian bowling attack led by stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah.
India choosing not to enforce the follow-on was a debatable call, although it helped their batters to consolidate even more.
Pant and Gill Extend India’s Lead
| Batsman | Runs | Balls |
|---|
| Rishabh Pant | 109 | 124 |
| Shubman Gill | 102 | 161 |
India’s second innings on Day 3 belonged to Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant. After a couple of early jitters, they settled down and blazed a 167-run partnership that sealed the fate of the match in Bangladesh’s slip.
Pant, in his usual aggressive style, reached his hundred off just 124 balls, hitting 13 boundaries and four sixes. Gill, composed and steady, completed his fifth Test hundred from 161 balls.
Next Up Second Test at Kanpur
Following the 1st Test, both sides will now concentrate on the second game of their two-match series, set to begin in Kanpur on September 27. India will now be the favourites, but Bangladesh will want to hit back.
India’s well-planned execution with Ashwin and Jadeja leading the charge, as well as solid knocks from Gill and Pant,’ puts them in the driver’s seat. The Kanpur Test promises to be another exciting conflict as both teams try to leave their mark as the game concludes.
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References:
Indianexpress.com
timesofIndia.com
