India under pressure again losing 2 wickets in 5 balls

Sports Desk Published: 19 September 2024, 02:59 PM
India under pressure again losing 2 wickets in 5 balls
Bangladeshi players celebrate the fall of Jasswi Jaiswal’s wicket during the first test against India at Chennai on Thursday – BCCI Photo

Bangladesh’s pacer Nahid Rana showcased his pace once again, this time overpowering India's Jasswi Jaiswal, who had been holding one end for a long time. Jaiswal, after scoring a resilient half-century, was undone by a 148 km/h delivery from Nahid. Misjudging the ball, Jaiswal edged it, and Sadman Islam took a sharp catch at first slip. The Indian opener departed after making 56 runs from 118 balls, including nine boundaries.

In the very next over, Mehdi Hasan Miraz struck, dismissing Lokesh Rahul (16 off 52 balls). Zakir Hasan took an impressive low catch at short leg, tightening Bangladesh’s grip on the game. India found themselves in deep trouble, losing two wickets in just five balls.

At the time of writing this report, India stands at 149 for 6, with Ravindra Jadeja unbeaten on 4 and Ravichandran Ashwin on 1. 

Hasan Mahmud's outstanding bowling continues to trouble India, having already taken 3 wickets in the first session. He struck again post-lunch, dismissing Rishabh Pant.

The first hour of the Chennai Test was dominated by Bangladesh, with Hasan Mahmud leading the charge. India found themselves struggling at 34 for 3 before Jaiswal and Pant added some resistance, putting together 62 runs for the fourth wicket. 

At lunch, India had reached 88 for 3 after 23 overs, but Hasan Mahmud resumed his dominance right after the break. Pant, having scored 39 runs, edged a wide delivery to wicketkeeper Liton Das and walked off visibly frustrated, leaving India at 96 for 4.

Earlier in the day, Bangladesh captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and opted to bowl at the Chidambaram Stadium. Under cloudy conditions, Bangladesh's pacers, Taskin Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud, started well, restricting India to just 8 runs in the first 4 overs and constantly threatening to take wickets.

The first breakthrough came in the 4th over when Hasan Mahmud’s delivery hit Rohit Sharma’s pads. Although the umpire initially turned down the appeal, a review showed the ball would have clipped the stumps, but Rohit survived due to the umpire's call. 

However, he couldn't make the most of his reprieve, as Hasan removed him shortly after, with Rohit edging to second slip where Nazmul Hossain Shanto made no mistake. Rohit managed only 6 runs from 19 balls.

Hasan Mahmud continued his stellar performance by dismissing Shubman Gill for a duck, caught behind by Liton Das as he attempted to glance a ball going down leg. Virat Kohli, another key Indian batsman, couldn't withstand Hasan’s swing, edging an outswinger to the wicketkeeper for 6 runs, leaving India reeling at 34 for 3, with all wickets falling to Hasan Mahmud.