India started their home series against Bangladesh with a comprehensive 280-run win at Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Ravichandran Ashwin starred with the ball for India, claiming a six-wicket haul to complement his century in the first innings.
Chasing a huge target of 515, Bangladesh began the fourth morning with a stubborn batting display by Najmul Hasan Shanto and Shakib Al Hasan who safely navigated the first hour. The left-handers saw off challenge from the Indian pace attack of Mohammad Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah.
At the other end, Ravindra Jadeja posed a significant threat, consistently firing deliveries into the rough outside the off-stump, keeping the batsmen under pressure. The uneven bounce and turn also troubled wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, who missed a stumping opportunity off Shakib.
It was the introduction of Ashwin that gave India the first breakthrough of the day, taking the wicket of Shakib ul Hasan. The off-spinner then removed Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim to put the hosts on the brink of victory. He claimed another wicket when Taskin Ahmed top-edged a wild slog, signaling a swift conclusion to the innings. Jadeja sealed the victory by beating Hasan Mahmud’s wild swing, reaching 299 Test wickets and securing a 1-0 lead for India in the two-Test series.
Ashwin was awarded the Man of the Match for his wonderful all-round display throughout the test. With this win, India also solidified its position at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 points table. The second test will be played from 27 September at Green Park in Kanpur.
Ashwin secures his place among cricket’s all-time greats
Indian spinner R Ashwin surpassed the legendary Anil Kumble to claim the most wickets for India in the fourth innings of Test matches. After a below-par bowling spell in the first innings, Ashwin finished with the figures of 6-88, taking his fourth innings wicket haul to 96 in his career. Ashwin surpassed Kumble, who previously held 94 wickets in the fourth innings overall.
Ashwin also equaled West Indies legend Courtney Walsh to become the eighth-highest wicket-taker in Test history. In 101 matches, the off-spinner has claimed 519 wickets at an average of 23.78, with his best figures being 7/59 and a total of 36 five-wicket hauls. Walsh also finished his career with 519 wickets in 132 Tests from 1984 to 2001.
With his 37th five-wicket haul in Test cricket, Ashwin also equaled Shane Warne’s record of 37th five-wicket haul in Test cricket, surpassing New Zealand’s great Richard Hadlee in the process.
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
