Bangladesh vs India: India defeated Bangladesh in the first of a two-game away series by a score of 188 runs in the opening Test match on Sunday (December 18). Bangladesh’s innings, which was put into play on Day 5 with a score of 272/6, was finished after just 11.2 overs with 324 runs. Shubman Gill scored his maiden Test ton while Kuldeep Yadav took eight wickets as India won the first Test vs Bangladesh by 188 runs.
Two wickets were taken by Kuldeep Yadav, including Shakib Al Hasan’s, while Taijul Islam was bowled by Axar Patel to end the game with his fourth wicket of the innings.
On Day 3, Cheteshwar Pujara and Shubman Gill both got a century as India declared their innings at 258/2, setting the hosts a 513-run total. India was expected to win this match on Day 4 alone, but Bangladesh put up a strong fight and extended the game to the last day.
On Day 4, Zakir Hasan made his debut and hit a century. Shakib Al Hasan, the skipper, chipped in with 84 runs off just 108 balls with six fours and six sixes. In the last innings, Kuldeep Yadav managed to take three wickets for India, while Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, and Ravichandran Ashwin each claimed one. Axar Patel claimed four for India.
Bangladesh vs India: Zakir Hasan shines on debut
Despite chasing a big target, Bangladesh debutant Zakir Hasan showed a lot of intent and notched up a century. Hasan took on the Indian bowling attack with authority and first stitched a 124-run stand with Najmul Hossain Shanto and later tried to hold the fort at one end before eventually getting out for 100.
The two sides will now take on each other in the second Test in Dhaka scheduled to begin on 22 December.
The triumphant return of Kuldeep Yadav to Test cricket:
The 28-year-old spinner has recently been in and out of India’s white-ball squad, but after a 22-month absence, he was back in the starting XI for the Test. With seasoned Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel in the lineup, India had three spin options, but Kuldeep stood out with a match-winning effort in the first Test.
He bowled out Bangladesh for only 150 runs and hit a critical 40 runs off 114 to assist India post 404 runs in the first innings. He finished the game with 8 for 113 and was named player of the match after taking three more wickets in the second innings.
Bangladesh vs India: Cheteshwar Pujara scored a century after almost four years
The experienced hitter led India in scoring in the first innings with 90 runs off 203 runs, but fell short of his century. However, he was able to record his fastest-ever Test century, scoring his 19th century, by hitting 102* off just 130 balls at a strike rate of 78.46. Pujara’s achievement would thrill the Indian management because it marked his first century after 52 innings and nearly four years.
Losing captain, Shakib Al Hasan said
Bangladesh vs India: “It was a good wicket to bat on, but we didn’t bat well [in the first innings]. There should be no excuse. Lot of credit to India, as they created pressure. Zakir has been scoring lots of runs in domestic cricket. Hopefully many more hundreds to come”, Shakib Al Hasan
Winning captain, KL Rahul said
Bangladesh vs India: “We had been here for quite some time, and the one-day series didn’t go as planned. An intense test that we are really glad to have won. The pitch did flatten down, which worried us, but it was hard to get runs in the first few innings. It’s crucial that the lower order participates. Shubman and Puji took advantage of the chance and made hundreds. Seamers secured wickets in the opening inning; our bowling assault has always been strong.”, Kl Rahul
Bangladesh vs India: Player of the match, Kuldeep Yadav said
“Happy with my performance, both with bat and ball. In the first innings, the wicket was quicker than in the first. I was bowling quicker in the second innings. Probably more revs on the ball makes batsmen step down, and plenty of variation as well. That makes it difficult for batsmen to pick which one is to come”, Kuldeep Yadav
