India and Bangladesh faced off against each other in the first Test of the two-match series in Chennai. Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bowl first.
India didn’t make a good start, losing six wickets for just 144 runs. However, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Ashwin joined forces and put on a sensational 199-run partnership. Ashwin scored a century, helping his team post a total of 376 runs in the first innings. Ravindra Jadeja also played a valuable knock of 86 runs off 124 deliveries.
In reply, Bangladesh were all out for 149 runs in the first innings. Despite that, India didn’t enforce the follow-on and decided to bat again. Rohit Sharma and Co. amassed 287 for 4 before declaring the innings.
Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill both scored a hundred in the second innings and set a target of 515 runs for Bangladesh to chase. However, Bangladesh fought hard but eventually were bowled out for 234 runs, handing India a 280-run win.
Out of all the contributions, Rishabh Pant’s ton was special. He smashed hundred on his return to Test cricket after the horrific car crash that he suffered in December 2022.
With that, he also equaled MS Dhoni’s record of six Test hundreds and became the joint-highest century scorer in Test cricket by any Indian wicketkeeper-batter. Pant’s record in red ball cricket is phenomenal as he has smashed centuries in all SENA countries.
Rohit Sharma praised Rishabh Pant following his century in Chennai
Rohit Sharma heaped praise on Pant for his Test hundred on his comeback from injury. He highlighted the resilience that Pant showed during his tough times and lauded his ability to make a comeback and and making an immediate impact.
“He’s been through some really tough times. The way he has managed himself through those tough times was superb to watch. He came back in the IPL, followed by a very successful World Cup and this is the format he loves the most.” Rohit Sharma said at the post match ceremony.
“For us, it was never about what is he going to do with the bat, we always knew what he had with the bat and with the gloves as well. It was just about giving him the game time. Credit to him as well, he went on to play Duleep Trophy and got ready for this Test match and had an impact straightaway in the game.” he added.
Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India have announced India’s squad for the second Test match against Bangladesh. The second Test is scheduled to take place at Green Park in Kanpur from 27th September to 1st October 2024.
