AKASH Deep led India’s bowling attack, taking two crucial wickets as Bangladesh struggled in response to India’s first-innings total of 376 on the second day of the first Test in Chennai on Friday.
The visitors were struggling at 111/7, trailing India by 265 runs in the second session after a commanding century from Ravichandran Ashwin put the hosts in control.
They are yet to beat India in a Test match and face an uphill battle to recover from this early collapse.
India’s pace attack struck early, with Jasprit Bumrah setting the tone by dismissing left-handed opener Shadman Islam for two.
Akash Deep then took centre stage, bowling Zakir Hasan for three and dismissing Mominul Haque for a duck on the very next delivery, reducing Bangladesh to 26-3. Mushfiqur Rahim and Najmul Hossain Shanto managed to see off the remaining overs before the break, with Rahim batting on four and Shanto on 15.
What a sight for a fast bowler!
Akash Deep rattles stumps twice, giving #TeamIndia a great start into the second innings.
Watch the two wickets here 👇👇#INDvBAN @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/TR8VznWlKU
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 20, 2024
Earlier in the day, Bangladesh fast bowler Hasan Mahmud had finished with figures of 5-83, but a resilient 199-run partnership between Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja rescued India after they were struggling at 144-6. Resuming play on 339-6, Taskin Ahmed broke the stand by dismissing Jadeja for 86. Akash Deep then contributed a quick 17 with four boundaries before being dismissed by Taskin, who soon claimed his third wicket by removing Ashwin, caught by Najmul Hossain.
The 38-year-old Ashwin, who had come to the crease with India in trouble on the first day, was given a standing ovation for his sixth Test century, which included 10 fours and two sixes. Hasan Mahmud then wrapped up India’s innings, securing his second five-wicket haul in just his fourth Test match.
Ashwin and Jadeja’s partnership had turned the match in India’s favour after Hasan’s early strikes had reduced the hosts to 34-3 in the first hour of play. India now looks to build on their strong start as they begin a new 10-match Test season, aiming to extend their lead at the top of the World Test Championship rankings.
(With inputs from agencies)
