India 176-6 Against Bangladesh After Hasan Takes Four Wickets

AFP/APP

Chennai:Bangladesh fast bowler Hasan Mahmud delivered a stellar performance, taking four wickets to leave India at 176-6 at tea on the first day of the opening Test in Chennai on Thursday.

Mahmud’s impressive bowling justified skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto’s decision to field first under overcast conditions. He struck early with three wickets and added another after lunch. Ravindra Jadeja (7) and Ravichandran Ashwin (21) were at the crease for India at the second break.

Bangladesh, fresh from a 2-0 series win in Pakistan, is aiming for its first-ever Test victory over India. Mahmud dismantled the Indian top order, dismissing both skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who managed just six runs each, leaving the hosts struggling at 34-3 within the first hour.

Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored 56, and Rishabh Pant, who contributed 39, built a 62-run partnership to provide some stability. However, Hasan broke the stand shortly after lunch, dismissing Pant, who was caught behind off a loose shot. Pant’s innings included six boundaries.

Jaiswal’s fifty was cut short by Bangladesh’s emerging pace talent, Nahid Rana, and spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz later removed KL Rahul for 16. Hasan’s initial spell of 3-14 put India on the defensive, starting with Rohit being caught at second slip.

Shubman Gill was dismissed for a duck after just eight deliveries, caught behind while attempting a flick. Kohli, who returned to Test cricket after missing the 4-1 home series win against England in March due to the birth of his second child, edged a length delivery from Hasan to wicketkeeper Litton Das.

India aims to bolster its position at the top of the World Test Championship rankings as the new Test season kicks off with a series of 10 matches. The second and final Test will commence on September 27 in Kanpur.