BSS, Indore :
Bangladesh put up a poor performance to let them down by an innings and 130-run margin defeat to India in the first Test match at Holkar Stadium in Indore on Saturday.
The defeat came in the most humiliating fashion as India crushed them within three days to register their third consecutive innings margin defeat, as their first two came against South Africa.
The latest defeat was Bangladesh’s 87th in 116 Tests, amongst which 41 was by innings margin. The stat indicates how vulnerable they remain in the Test cricket since their elevation to the elite format in 2000.
Bangladesh though fared better in the second innings, being bundled out for 213. They were bowled out for 150 in the first innings.
India declared their first innings at overnight score of 493-6, with 407 runs coming on day two when their batsmen, led by Mayank Agarwal’s epic 243 plundered Bangladeshi bowlers at will.
After India declared their innings, taking 343-run first innings lead before the third day’s game began, the question was whether Bangladesh could survive against a pumped-up Indian bowling line up and avoid an innings defeat.
Virat Kohli’s decision to declare the innings with overnight score had a valid reason as he wanted his pacers to exploit the early morning moisture.
And his pacers responded well. The pace-trio scythed down Bangladesh’s batting order with some help from Ravichandran Ashwin. Mohammed Shami who claimed 3-27 in the first innings, was the wrecker-in-chief in second innings also, grabbing 4-31.
Ashwin bagged 3-42 while Umesh Yadav picked up 2-51. Ishant Sharma took the rest of the wicket. Mushfiqur Rahim who scored 43 in his first innings, was the side’s top-scorer again with a stubborn 64, after being dropped by Rohit Sharma on 4.
However Umesh Yadav struck first to dismiss Imrul Kayes, who was out on 6 after trying to play an expensive drive, that looked utterly wretched.
His fellow opener Shadman Islam also was out on identical 6, when he failed to use his feet well against an express delivery of Ishant Sharma.
First change bowler Mohammed Shami worsened Bangladesh’s situation by dismissing captain Mominul Haque on 7 via leg-before. The umpire though turned down the appeal, India’s captain Virat Kohli reviewed the decision successfully.
Shami then had Mithun caught by Mayank Agarwal for 18 and left Bangladesh at 44-4, indicating to wrap up the things quickly.
In the post-lunch session, Shami once again tormented the batsmen and got the reward with the wicket of Mahmudullah Riyad for 15.
Liton Das joined Mushfiqur to find the gaps regularly while the latter remained restrained amid sustained pressure.
Indian spinners then came to the scene with Ravichandran Ashwin striking immediately to get the better of Liton who made 35 off 29 with six fours.
As the things looked ominous, Mushfiqur and Miraz put up a resistance to delay the inevitable. But Indian bowlers were relentless.
Yadav dismissed Miraz (38) with an extra bounce to bring an end to the 59-run partnership. Ashwin and Shami in join-adventure then cleaned up the tail to ensure the side’s victory in utter comprehensive manner.
Bangladesh would stay in Indore for two days and practice with pink ball before flying to Kolkata for their maiden day-night Test from November 22.
