Indian Bowlers Put The Team In The Driver's Seat

Bangladesh’s decision to bat first backfires; Shami, Ishant, Umesh and Ashwin do the damage

- Amol Karhadkar

Mohammed Shami was stunning with his trademark seam position. Ishant Sharma was inspiring up front. Umesh Yadav was unstoppable with his fierce pace. And R. Ashwin was exceptional, as always.

No wonder then that Bangladesh’s brave decision to bat first on a hard deck boomeranged as India took firm control of the opening day of the first Test.

With the pace triumvirate and the lead off-spinner in prime form, Ravindra Jadeja’s accurate left-arm spin was hardly required as India bundled Bangladesh out for 150 in a little over two sessions at the Holkar Stadium.

Rohit goes early

Despite losing Rohit Sharma early, Mayank Agarwal and Cheteshwar Pujara’s unbroken 72-run partnership steadied the ship as India reached 86 for one at stumps.

With more faith in its batting order than an inexperienced bowling unit, Bangladesh chose to bat after Virat Kohli lost a rare toss. But with Ishant and Umesh on the ball right from the word go, the left-handed openers Shadman Islam and Imrul Kayes struggled to put bat on the ball.