India asserted their dominance in the first Test of the two-match series against Bangladesh, securing a resounding 280-run victory at the M.A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The victory was built on a foundation of stellar individual performances, especially from the veteran off-spinner, R Ashwin. His six-wicket haul in the final innings proved instrumental in wrapping up the match within the first session of the fourth day, leaving Bangladesh with a daunting 515-run target to chase. This match was not just about the result; it was a platform for several records to be shattered and milestones to be reached.
India Makes History:
For the first time in their Test history, India boasts more wins than losses. This victory propelled India’s Test record to an impressive 179 wins against 178 losses after 580 matches. This win marks a significant moment for Indian cricket, as they had previously been locked in a tie in terms of wins and losses in the red-ball format. Adding to this milestone, Jasprit Bumrah became the sixth Indian pacer to claim 400 international wickets, a testament to his exceptional bowling prowess.Ashwin’s Magnificent Performance:
Ashwin shone in both batting and bowling, leaving his mark on the match in a memorable way. He smashed his sixth Test hundred and first against Bangladesh, marking his second consecutive century at Chepauk after his previous one against England in 2021. His innings were further highlighted by a 199-run seventh-wicket partnership with Ravindra Jadeja, the highest ever recorded in Chennai by an Indian pair.Hasan Mahmud’s Breakthrough:
Bangladesh found a bright spot in Hasan Mahmud, who became the first Bangladeshi bowler to claim a five-wicket haul in Tests in India. He bagged 5/83, dismissing key Indian batsmen like Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant, surpassing Abu Jayed’s 4/108 in 2019 in Indore.Kohli’s Consistent Run-Scoring:
Virat Kohli continued his phenomenal run-scoring form, joining Sachin Tendulkar as the second Indian batter to surpass 12,000 international runs at home. With 4167 runs in Tests, 6268 runs in ODIs and 1577 runs in T20Is, he became the fifth batter globally to cross the 12,000-run mark at home.Pant Equals Dhoni’s Record:
Rishabh Pant, the Indian wicketkeeper, continued his impressive form by equaling MS Dhoni’s record for most centuries by an Indian wicketkeeper in Test cricket. His sixth Test century placed him 17th in the list of keepers with the most Test hundreds, a testament to his batting prowess and his ability to perform under pressure.Ashwin’s Double Delight:
Ashwin’s heroics weren’t limited to just his century; he also achieved a remarkable double – a century and a five-for in the same match – for the fourth time in his Test career. With his 37th five-wicket haul, he tied with Shane Warne’s record for most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket. At 38 years and 5 days old, Ashwin became the oldest Indian to achieve this feat, surpassing Vinoo Mankad’s record of 37 years and 307 days.Bangladesh’s Struggles:
The visitors struggled throughout the match, getting bowled out for just 149 runs inside three sessions in their first innings, recording their second-lowest total in India after 106 in 2019 in Indore. They were unable to recover from this early setback and were ultimately unable to challenge India’s dominance.This first Test was a display of both individual brilliance and collective team strength. India’s victory was a testament to their resilience and their ability to perform under pressure, while Bangladesh will need to find ways to address their weaknesses and improve their performance in the upcoming Test matches.
