Pujara and Iyer lead India recovery against Bangladesh

By Sports Desk December 14, 2022

Cheteshwar Pujara and Shreyas Iyer steered India to an opening-day recovery against Bangladesh in the first Test in Chattogram.

The tourists won the toss at Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium and opted to bat first, with opener KL Rahul deputising as captain in place of the injured Rohit Sharma.

Impressive knocks from Pujara (90) and Iyer (82 not out) helped them steadily build a total they hope will offer a defence against their hosts, ending the day on 278-6.

But sturdy figures from Taijul Islam (3-84) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (2-71) helped Bangladesh keep their opponents on something of a leash.

The early momentum appeared to favour them, with a three-wicket flurry taking Shubman Gill, Rahul and Virat Kohli - the latter for a solitary single - at the cost of just seven runs as India were swiftly reduced to 48-3.

A hard-hitting cameo from Rishabh Pant, with 46 off 45 balls and eight boundaries to boot, saw India wrestle back control.

When he fell to make it 112-4, Iyer - in just his sixth Test match - joined Pujara at the crease to mount a controlled partnership, putting together 149 for the fifth wicket.

It was Bangladesh who served up the final sting of the game however, following the latter's dismissal, with Axar Patel trapped lbw off the final ball of the day to keep this encounter hanging in the balance.

Iyer showcases middle-order strength

Having nabbed a century on debut against New Zealand last year, the India batter has posted another four half-centuries since at the Test crease for his country.

His latest however was an assured knock - that included 10 fours - to bring some needed momentum back to the tourists, and will return to the crease in a bid to reach three figures and push India beyond 300 on Thursday.

Seamers struggle for Bangladesh

Ebadot Hossain and Khaled Ahmed led the hosts' bowling attack out of the gates in Chattogram, but both failed to really cause problems the longer the first day wound on.

With just one wicket between them - that of Rahul, early on - they looked lacking in threat compared to the rest of their team-mates, with few full balls between them.

Related items

  • Leeds United 4-0 Norwich City (4-0 agg): Whites book Wembley spot in emphatic fashion Leeds United 4-0 Norwich City (4-0 agg): Whites book Wembley spot in emphatic fashion

    Leeds United thumped Norwich City 4-0 in the second leg of their Championship play-off semi-final to seal their place at Wembley.

    After a goalless draw in the first leg left it all to play for at Elland Road on Thursday, Leeds turned on the style in front of a raucous home crowd to cruise into the final on May 26.

    Ilia Gruev settled the majority of Elland Road's nerves with just seven minutes played as he caught out Angus Gunn with a long-range free-kick, curling into the space vacated by the Norwich goalkeeper's expectation of a cross.

    Joel Piroe then doubled the hosts' advantage 13 minutes later, again capitalising on poor goalkeeping to beat Gunn to Wilfried Gnonto's cross and nod home.

    The tie was effectively over five minutes from half-time, Georginio Rutter getting on the end of Crysencio Summerville's squared pass to rifle off the underside of the crossbar and in.

    And after Gunn spilled Gnonto's low shot in the second half, Rutter cut the ball back for Summerville to poke home and secure Leeds' place in next Sunday's final, where they will meet either Southampton or West Brom.

    Data debrief

    Leeds may have looked pretty blunt in attack at Carrow Road, but that was far from the case on home soil as they put the Canaries to the sword in brutal fashion while keeping a 21st Championship clean sheet this season, more than any other side.

    Daniel Farke's men produced 2.45 xG (expected goals) to Norwich's 0.51, while Summerville made it 20 league goals for the season, more than any other Leeds player.

  • ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Warm-Up matches confirmed ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Warm-Up matches confirmed

    The official warm-up match fixtures for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 have been announced. Matches are scheduled to be played from Monday 27 May to Saturday 1 June across the USA and at two venues in Trinidad and Tobago in the West Indies.

    The venues to host the 16 warm up matches are the Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Grand Prairie, Texas; Broward County Stadium, Broward County, Florida and Queen’s Park Oval and Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad and Tobago.

    Warm-up fixtures will be 20 overs per side and will not carry international T20 status as teams will be allowed to field all members of their 15-player squad. In a change from the previous rights cycle, teams will now have the option of playing up to two warm-up matches depending on arrival time at the event.

    The West Indies against Australia fixture at Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday 30 May will be open to fans, tickets will be available at tickets.t20worldcup.com or box offices located at the National Cricket Centre and Queen’s Park Oval from 16 May.

    Warm-up match schedule:

    Monday 27 May

    Canada v Nepal, Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Grand Prairie, Texas 10h30

    Oman v Papua New Guinea, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago 15h00

    Namibia v Uganda, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago 19h00

    Tuesday 28 May

    Sri Lanka v Netherlands, Broward County Stadium, Broward County, Florida 10h30

    Bangladesh v USA, Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Grand Prairie, Texas 10h30

    Australia v Namibia, Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago 19h00

    Wednesday 29 May

    South Africa intra-squad, Broward County Stadium, Broward County, Florida 10h30

    Afghanistan v Oman, Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago 13h00

    Thursday 30 May

    Nepal v USA, Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Grand Prairie, Texas 10h30

    Scotland v Uganda, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago 10h30

    Netherlands v Canada, Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Grand Prairie, Texas 15h00

    Namibia v Papua New Guinea, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago 15h00

    West Indies v Australia, Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago 19h00

    Friday 31 May

    Ireland v Sri Lanka, Broward County Stadium, Broward County, Florida 10h30

    Scotland v Afghanistan, Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago 10h30

    Saturday 1 June

    Bangladesh v India, Venue TBC USA

     

  • IPL: Washout confirms SRH play-off place IPL: Washout confirms SRH play-off place

    Sunrisers Hyderabad are into the Indian Premier League play-offs despite their game against Gujarat Titans being abandoned without even doing the toss due to rain.

    SRH move onto 15 points, with one game remaining, but are now ensured a top-four finish for the first time since 2020.

    Their top-two hopes have taken a hit though – they have to beat Punjab Kings in their final game and hope Rajasthan Royals lose to Kolkata Knights Riders to finish second.

    The Titans were already out of play-off contention after their previous game against KKR was also called off due to a heavy storm without hitting a ball. They finish their season currently third from bottom, though that could change depending on results in the final few matches.

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.