Persistent Strikes Keep India Under Strain

Hasan Mahmud spearheaded Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling display in favorable conditions, consistently breaking through to prevent India’s batting lineup from gaining momentum during the first two sessions of the opening Test in Chennai. Despite Yashasvi Jaiswal’s solid knock of 56, including key partnerships with Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul, Bangladesh maintained pressure, leaving India at 176/6 by Tea on Day 1. Their tight bowling yielded only 88 runs in each session, though the over rates were a concern, with only 23 overs in the first session and 25 in the second.

India’s recovery after a shaky start in the first session was interrupted soon after Lunch when Mahmud claimed his fourth wicket, dismissing Pant for 39. Pant, having hit a boundary off a cut shot, tried to repeat the stroke but ended up under-edging the ball, ending a 62-run stand. Jaiswal, after walking down the track to Mahmud for a boundary that took India past 100, faced challenges as Mahmud twice beat him outside off in the same over. Rahul, too, played cautiously, finding his first boundary with a stylish on-drive off Nahid Rana. Extras contributed to the score, with some loose deliveries from the bowlers.

The pitch continued to assist the pacers, and Taskin Ahmed regularly troubled Jaiswal, beating his outside edge. Nevertheless, Jaiswal capitalized on scoring opportunities, driving Taskin for a boundary to bring up his eighth fifty-plus score. Rahul’s watchful innings complemented Jaiswal, building a steady partnership. However, the stand fell just short of fifty when Jaiswal edged a short-of-length delivery from Rana to first slip. Rahul followed soon after, with Zakir Hasan taking a sharp catch at short leg off Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s bowling.

India’s lower order, led by Ashwin and Jadeja, added crucial runs, striking a few boundaries to push the score past 150. Mahmud continued his impressive spell, finding Ashwin’s outside edge in the final over before Tea, though the ball raced away through the vacant third slip for a boundary. Ashwin and Jadeja’s partnership had reached 32 by the break.

Earlier in the day, after Bangladesh chose to bowl, Taskin Ahmed repeatedly beat Jaiswal’s outside edge, also troubling Rohit Sharma with deliveries that nipped back. Rohit narrowly survived an LBW review off Mahmud, saved by the umpire’s call. With moisture aiding the seamers, both openers were tested, but they managed to relieve some pressure with a few boundaries. The partnership ended when Mahmud induced an edge from Rohit to second slip. India found themselves in deeper trouble at 34/3, as Gill fell for a duck, caught down the leg side, and Virat Kohli edged to the slips, both wickets falling to Mahmud.

Nahid Rana, introduced as the first-change bowler, presented a fresh challenge with his pace and bounce. However, Pant, returning to Test cricket after a two-year absence, quickly found his rhythm, smashing a boundary over backward point. In a long and probing spell, Mahmud continued to test the Indian batters, although Jaiswal punished a rare loose delivery to bring up India’s 50. Rana’s pace seemed to suit Pant, who struck several boundaries, building a strong partnership with Jaiswal. The left-hander took on Mehidy in his first over, hitting two boundaries, while Pant had a few nervous moments against Taskin, including an edge that fell short of first slip. The pair’s half-century stand was a key moment before Pant’s dismissal.

**Brief scores:** India 176/6 (Yashasvi Jaiswal 56, Rishabh Pant 39; Hasan Mahmud 4-35) vs Bangladesh.