Ashwin rescues India with century :Ravichandran Ashwin’s ton helps India recover to 339-6 against Bangladesh on day one of first Test

AFP | Chennai

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A counter-attacking century from Ravichandran Ashwin pulled India to a “good position” at 339-6 on day one of the first Test after Bangladesh fast bowler Hasan Mahmud rattled the hosts with four wickets yesterday. India slipped to 34-3 inside the first hour of play in Chennai, then 144-6 in the second session before Ashwin, on 102, and Ravindra Jadeja, on 86, put on an unbeaten stand of 195 runs.

Hasan had vindicated skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto’s decision to field first in overcast conditions, striking early with three wickets and taking one more after lunch. The tourists, fresh from their 2-0 sweep in Pakistan, are looking for their first Test win against India. Chennai-born Ashwin and the left-handed Jadeja -- India’s goto spinners -- blunted the Bangladesh bowling, to the delight of the home fans.

“We always have a plan. We were relaxed in the dressing room when watching,” India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal told reporters. “I think initially the ball was moving and seaming a bit and the wicket was damp. We took our time. In the last session we scored quite well and are in a good position at the moment,” he added. Ashwin, 38, reached his sixth Test ton in 108 balls with 12 boundaries, removing his helmet and raising his hands to soak in the crowd’s cheers.

Hasan ripped through the Indian top-order including skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli -- both scoring just six runs -- to leave the hosts at 34-3 inside the first hour of play. Jaiswal put on a 62-run partnership with fellow left-hander Rishabh Pant to get some momentum into the Indian innings.

Hasan broke the stand in the third over after lunch when wicketkeeper-batsman Pant, who is playing his first Test after a serious 2022 car crash, was caught behind off a loose shot. He made 39 with six boundaries. Jaiswal fell to Bangladesh’s new pace sensation Nahid Rana for 56. Spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz then took down KL Rahul for 16.

‘In my zone’ 

Hasan’s opening spell of 3-14 put the hosts immediately on the back foot, starting with Rohit caught at second slip. “The plan was simple, to bowl at my strength -- bowl seam-up and shape the ball in and out and I succeeded,” said Hasan.

“I was in my zone.” He added: “Later in the day the wicket settled, but still I got some movement.” Shubman Gill survived just eight deliveries before being caught behind for a duck when he attempted a flick down the leg side. Kohli walked in to loud cheers but the noise soon stopped when the former captain edged a length delivery outside the offstump from Hasan to wicketkeeper Litton Das.

It was a disappointing outing for Kohli after missing his team’s 4-1 home win over England in March due to the birth of his second child. India are looking to extend their lead at the top of the World Test Championship rankings as they begin a fresh Test season of 10 matches. The second and final Test starts on September 27 at Kanpur.