India kicked off their Test season in emphatic style, securing a comprehensive 280-run win over Bangladesh in the 1st Test at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This victory marked the beginning of India's busy Test cricket season and was their first international match after a break.
First Innings Dominance
India set the tone with a strong first innings, scoring 376 runs before being all out in 91.2 overs. Ravichandran Ashwin was a standout performer, contributing 113 runs to India's total. Bangladesh, however, struggled in their first innings, managing only 149 runs and losing all ten wickets in just 47.1 overs.
Second Innings Mastery
In their second innings, India declared at 287/4, with Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant both scoring centuries. This set Bangladesh a daunting target of 515 runs. Despite a decent start from their openers, Shadman Islam and Zakir Hasan, who put together a 62-run partnership, Bangladesh's batting lineup crumbled under the pressure of India's bowling attack.
Bowling Brilliance
The Indian bowling unit, particularly the spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, proved to be the decisive factor. Ashwin, who was wicketless in the first innings, came back strongly in the second, taking six wickets to complete his 37th Test five-for. Jadeja also played a crucial role, picking up three wickets and bowling Hasan Mahmud to seal the victory for India.
Bangladesh's resistance was short-lived, with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto top-scoring with 82 runs but ultimately fighting a lone battle. The visitors slipped from 205/5 to 234/10, handing India a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Series Implications
This win marks a significant start for India in their Test season, especially after a six-month break from red-ball cricket. Bangladesh, despite their recent historic Test series win in Pakistan, were unable to replicate their form in Indian conditions. The next Test is scheduled to take place in Kanpur, where Bangladesh will look to recover and mount a stronger challenge.
