India ease to victory in first Test against Bangladesh

By Sports Desk December 18, 2022

India beat Bangladesh by 188 runs in Chattogram to complete a dominant victory in the first Test.

A contest that had been largely dominated by India was never in doubt on day five, with the hosts needing another 241 runs with just four wickets remaining, Bangladesh could only add a further 52 runs as India bowled them out for 324.

Chasing a huge target of 513 at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, few would have expected the Tigers to muster much of a charge towards it, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz was walking back to the pavilion for 13 after Mohammed Siraj delivered a length ball that he tried to drive, only to find Umesh Yadav at backward point.

Captain Shakib Al Hasan was trying to put on a show at least, adding four more sixes to the two he hit on day four, before he finally fell to Kuldeep Yadav, bowled after trying a sweep shot for 84.

Kuldeep also dismissed Ebadot Hossain (0) before things were wrapped up when Axar Patel bowled Taijul Islam (4).

After the win was sewn up, India captain KL Rahul praised his team, admitting they were made to work hard even if the win was never really in doubt.

"It was a hard-fought Test, and I'm really happy we won," he said. "The pitch did flatten out, it did worry us, but in the first few innings it was difficult to get runs."

Shakib credited the victors and admitted that his team had not done enough with the bat. 

"It was a good wicket to bat on, but we didn't bat well [in the first innings]," he said. "There should be no excuse. Lots of credit to India, as they created pressure."

The second Test begins in Mirpur on Thursday.

Kuldeep dominates with the ball

A fully deserved man-of-the-match award for the 28-year-old spinner Kuldeep, with final match figures of 8-113. Bangladesh just could not deal with Kuldeep, who also hit 40 with the bat in the first innings.

Patel continues to shine

Axar Patel took 4-77 in the second innings, and has now claimed 44 wickets after just seven Tests, the most by an Indian in the men's game after that number of matches, overtaking Ravichandran Ashwin's total of 43 wickets.

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