Picture Credit: X

Picture Credit: X

On Sunday, September 22, India created history by beating Bangladesh in the first Test by 280 runs to go up 1-0 in the two-match Test series at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The Men in Blue created a unique feat with their win as they now have more victories than losses in Test cricket history for the first time ever in its 92-year-old history.

India now boasts of 179 wins from their 581 Test matches with 178 losses. Moreover, this was the 14th Test match between India and Bangladesh, with the Men in Blue extending their head-to-head record to 12-0, with two matches ending in a draw.

 

India go 1-0 up in two-match Test series against Bangladesh

Speaking of the first Test which was played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, saw the visitors, Bangladesh win the toss and elect to bowl first. The Men in Blue, who were seen in the whites since their 4-1 series win against England in March 2024, had a winning start to their long Test season. After being invited to bat first, Rohit Sharma-led India put up 376 runs, courtesy a century knock from R Ashwin and crucial 86-run knock from Ravindra Jadeja. For Bangladesh, Hasan Mahmud completed a five-wicket haul, whereas Taskin Ahmed picked three wickets with Nahid Rana and Mehidy Hasan Miraz taking a wicket each.

The Men in Blue then took the charge as the bowlers bundled out Najmul Hossain Shanto-led side to 149 in 47.1 overs. While it was Jasprit Bumrah who did his part with the ball, picking up four wickets, Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja and Akash Deep picked two wickets each. With Bangladesh receiving early jolt, India built on to their lead, posting a target of 515 runs for the visitors, courtesy centuries from Rishabh Pant (109) and Shubman Gill (119*).

With Pant back in the hut, Shubman Gill and KL Rahul looked in good touch before Rohit Sharma called the side back to the pavilion with India declaring the innings at 287/4. From here on, Bangladesh toiled hard to keep their momentum going, but except from the skipper, Najmul Hossain Shanto (82), none of the batters came out good. 

The Indian spin duo of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja did the major damage to the visitors hope as they bundled out Bangladesh to 234/10 in 62.1 overs. While Ashwin etched history, picking up six wickets and joining late legend Shane Warne for most five-fers in Test cricket, Jadeja scalped three wickets with Bumrah finishing with just one. 

Ashwin, also surpassed legend Anil Kumble for most wickets in fourth innings for India as he now has 99 wickets, four wickets more than Kumble. He also is just one shy of Ian Botham’s record of a century and five-fer in same Test most times.