Ashwin’s wizardry renders Bangladesh helpless

In a display that can only be described as a masterclass in cricketing prowess, Ravichandran Ashwin, ever the magician with both bat and ball, orchestrated a symphony of dominance, claiming six wickets and contributing a stellar century in the first Test against Bangladesh.

The result? A staggering 280-run defeat for the visitors on Sunday, a scoreline that speaks volumes about the vast chasm in talent between the two sides. Arriving in Chennai with their heads held high, buoyed by a historic victory in Pakistan, Bangladesh might have hoped for a miracle.

Alas, they were met with a veritable brick wall in the form of an Indian side reinvigorated by the return of Rishabh Pant, who made headlines not just for his cricket but also for surviving a serious car accident. Despite their bravado, Bangladesh has yet to find a way to breach the fortress that is Indian Test cricket, now enduring 14 attempts without a single victory.

On day four, amid the gloomy skies, the visitors were dismissed for a meagre 234 while attempting to chase a daunting target of 515 runs. Their captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, tried valiantly, top-scoring with 82. He and Shakib Al Hasan managed a fleeting partnership of 48 runs after resuming the day on a dismal 158-4. However, the script unfolded exactly as one might expect: India took a decisive 1-0 lead in the two-match series, further solidifying their reign at the pinnacle of the World Test Championship rankings.

Ashwin, the local hero, wasted no time in dismantling any semblance of resistance, breaking the overnight partnership by sending Shakib back to the pavilion for a paltry 25. With this wicket, he reached yet another milestone, bagging his 37th five-wicket haul, an achievement that puts him on par with the late Shane Warne, though the legendary Muttiah Muralitharan remains comfortably ahead with 67.

It is worth noting that Ashwin's contributions didn't end with the ball; his first-innings century of 113 was pivotal in propelling India to a total of 376. "He's always there for us over the years," Rohit lauded, perhaps downplaying Ashwin's almost supernatural ability to remain a game-changer year after year. "I don't know if I speak here (that) it'll be enough to cover what he does for the team. He looks like he's never out of the game."

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Shakib's modest contribution was a glimmer in an otherwise bleak outing, as he and Najmul struggled to find footing against a relentless Indian attack. The left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja made quick work of Litton Das, dismissing him for a mere single run, which likely felt like a personal affront. Jadeja then sent Najmul packing, wrapping up his innings with three wickets, further highlighting the gulf in skill.

Not only did Ashwin and Jadeja shine with the ball, but their exploits with the bat during India's first innings were nothing short of extraordinary. Their partnership of 199 runs for the seventh wicket elevated India from a precarious position of 144-6 to a formidable total, showcasing the depth of talent within the Indian lineup.

In their second innings, India declared at a commanding 287-4, thanks to centuries from Shubman Gill (unbeaten at 119) and the returning Pant (109). Their partnership of 167 runs for the fourth wicket was a brutal display that left the Bangladeshi bowlers grasping at shadows.

The Test also marked Virat Kohli's return after a brief hiatus due to the birth of his second child, though he managed only a meager 6 and 17.

The Indian bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, started the match in fine form, dismissing Bangladesh for a mere 149 in their first innings. Not to be outdone, Bangladesh's Hasan Mahmud did manage to claim five wickets, reducing India to a precarious 34-3 within the first hour. However, such fleeting moments of glory were overshadowed by the relentless Indian attack.

In the end, Najmul offered some faint consolation, remarking on the ‘stellar' bowling by Taskin Ahmed and Hasan in the match's early hours. Unfortunately for him and his team, a few bright spells do little to mask the overall dominance displayed by India throughout the contest.

As the dust settles on this mismatch of titans and underdogs, one thing is abundantly clear: Bangladesh may have arrived with hope and confidence, but they left with nothing but bruised egos and a stark reminder of the monumental challenge that lies ahead in their quest to break the streak of defeats against India in Test cricket.

As the series continues, one can only wonder what the next chapter holds, will Bangladesh finally turn the tide, or will they once again be left to ponder their misfortunes while India continues to march triumphantly forward? Fans wait with bated breath, though it is hard to imagine any scenario that doesn't end with India holding the upper hand!