Wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav registered his career-best match figures as India quickly wrapped up Bangladesh’s second innings for a comprehensive 188-run win in the opening Test, at Chattogram on Sunday. Needing four wickets to pocket the win, India finished the job in 11. 2 overs, bowling the hosts out for 324 after the hosts began at overnight score of 276 for six. Kuldeep scalped two of the remaining four batters while Mohammed Siraj and Axar Patel took one wicket each.
Kuldeep, who cherished an impressive five-wicket haul in the first innings, added three more in the second Bangladesh innings to finish with match figures of eight for 113. “I love bowling with Kookaburra balls, it gives me better grip and control, compared to the SG ball,” said Kuldeep after the win. Kuldeep was ably supported by left-arm spinner Patel, who finished with figures of 4 for 77 in the second innings.
The result and first-placed Australia’s convincing win over South Africa in Brisbane on Sunday moves India up to second in the ICC Test Championship rankings. The top two sides will lock horns when Australia tour India in early 2023. Australia now hold a 76. 92-win percentage, with India (55. 77) now ahead of South Africa (54. 55). Resuming at the overnight score of 276 for six, Bangladesh skipper Shakib-Al-Hasan came all out attacking, knowing very well it would not be easy to just survive the whole day.
He went for his shots to score 84 in his 108-ball stay. But the Indians played the patient game. KL Rahul, who registered his first Test win as skipper, started with pace-spin combination of Siraj (1/67) and Patel. Bangaldesh batters started aggressively as Mehidy Hasan Miraz delightfully drove Siraj through the covers in his first over for the day’s first boundary.
At the other end, Shakib made his intentions clear, clobbering Patel over square leg. But Siraj had his man in his next over as Mehidy fell to a loose shot. Siraj sprayed the ball outside the off-stump again and Mehidy only managed to slash the delivery straight to Umesh Yadav at backward point.
Shakib brought up his 30th Test fifty with a straight six off Patel. Shakib took his chances but the asking was too tall as Rahul introduced Kuldeep as the first change and the left-arm spinner picked up two wickets in consecutive overs, while Patel picked another as India ended Bangladesh’s dogged resistance.