September 19, 2024

Ashwin and Jadeja’s Brilliant Partnership Puts Bangladesh Under Pressure

India’s unbroken 195-run partnership lifted them from a precarious 144 for 6 on a unique day of Test cricket. Despite the unusual circumstances, one thing remained clear: while teams can challenge India’s batting lineup, they often struggle to match the strength of its lower-middle order.

As R. Ashwin, who celebrated his 38th birthday just two days earlier, and fellow Chennai native Ravindra Jadeja took to the crease, fans wondered if this could be their last Test in Chennai. They certainly made an impact, with Ashwin scoring his sixth Test century and showcasing his skill with powerful shots that thrilled the crowd. Jadeja also impressed, finishing the day not out on 86, contributing significantly to their remarkable recovery.

For Bangladesh, watching India lose their seventh wicket is a familiar heartbreak, but the circumstances leading up to it were anything but typical. For the first time in seven years, a team chose to bowl first in a Test match in India, and even India admitted they would have done the same. This decision wasn’t due to a rain-damaged pitch; instead, the slightly green, damp surface was deliberately prepared during a week of record-breaking temperatures in Chennai.

Shifting Fortunes: A Battle of Momentum in India’s Innings

The overcast skies made it seem worth the gamble to bat last in India. Hasan Mahmud, a bowler reminiscent of Vernon Philander, exploited the conditions with his precise seam movement, dismantling India’s top order. After a brief recovery from 34 for 3, India fell again in the second session, losing three quick wickets.

Then R. Ashwin stepped up, attacking with confidence, while Ravindra Jadeja joined him, shifting the momentum. Until then, Mahmud had kept India under control. Rohit Sharma faced a challenging spell before edging a delivery to second slip, while Shubman Gill struggled and was caught down the leg side. Virat Kohli entered the fray with aggression, but his intent led to an edge away from his body, highlighting the risks of that approach.

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant, playing his first Test in nearly 700 days, put together a solid 62-run partnership for the fourth wicket against some inconsistent bowling. Jaiswal continued his impressive form, marking his sixth consecutive home Test with a score over 50. Pant looked dangerous, helping India seize control by lunchtime. However, after the break, Pant fell to a poorly executed cut shot, handing a fortunate wicket to Hasan Mahmud.

Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana stepped up in the following session, posing a tougher challenge with their improved bowling. While the ball still moved around, it wasn’t as pronounced as in the first session. Rana eventually dismissed Jaiswal with extra pace, and KL Rahul was caught spectacularly by Zakir Hasan at short leg.

Ashwin and Jadeja’s Stellar Partnership Turns the Tide for India

Though Mehidy Hasan Miraz took the crucial wicket of Rahul, Bangladesh’s spinners struggled to provide the control their captain, Najmul Hasan, needed. This inconsistency meant he lacked a fully effective attack. Mahmud kept the pressure on during the first session, but as the other quicks found their rhythm, the absence of reliable spinners left them vulnerable. At 144 for 6, it became evident just how challenging it was to compensate for this lack of depth.

As soon as R. Ashwin walked to the crease, the crowd erupted in cheers, especially after KL Rahul’s dismissal—an honor typically reserved for legends like Tendulkar and Kohli. Ashwin quickly made his presence felt with a single off his first ball, followed by a powerful four off his second against Rana.

Ashwin and Jadeja have orchestrated many rescue missions before, but this one was particularly striking. Ashwin played with flair, staying on the back foot and confidently driving balls through covers and square leg. Jadeja adopted a more traditional approach, settling in before opening up but consistently seizing scoring chances. Ashwin batted as if he had never left Chepauk, his home ground.

As the ball softened and runs began to flow, Bangladesh had to spread their field, allowing Ashwin and Jadeja to find easy boundaries. At times, they exchanged glances of admiration for each other’s shots. When Ashwin ramped a delivery over the slips for four, Jadeja appeared thrilled to witness it. Ashwin returned the favor with a flat slog-sweep from Jadeja. By this point, Bangladesh had missed their chance to set a proper field.

Just six minutes before stumps, Ashwin reached his century in just 108 balls, igniting jubilation in the stands. Jadeja added to the excitement with a drilled boundary back over the bowler, moving into the 80s. This was a clear reminder that the game was far from over, and Bangladesh would face these two again on day two.