NEW DELHI: Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin showcased his exceptional skills, taking a six-wicket haul that led India to a commanding 280-run win against Bangladesh in the first Test. The match concluded with five sessions to spare, giving India a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Starting from their overnight 158 for four, Bangladesh was bowled out for 234 in their second innings.Ashwin’s figures were impressive at 6/88.
Ravindra Jadeja provided significant support with a three-wicket haul, finishing with 3/58.

Najmul Hossain Shanto was the standout performer for Bangladesh, scoring a splendid 82 off 127 balls, including eight boundaries and three sixes. Unfortunately, he found little support from his teammates.
The day started positively for Bangladesh as Shanto and Shakib Al-Hasan extended their fifth-wicket partnership to 48 runs, successfully resisting Indian bowlers for the first hour.
Mohammed Siraj was the pick of the Indian bowlers during this period. He bowled with good pace and precision but was unlucky as several edges eluded him or fell short of the fielders.
Siraj’s frustration was evident as he frequently expressed his displeasure towards Shanto, though Shanto remained unaffected.

Shakib, who played a fine front-foot pull off Siraj for a boundary, also received a lucky break when Rishabh Pant missed a stumping chance off Jadeja when Shakib was on 17.
At the first drinks break, Bangladesh stood at 194 for four and likely hoped to extend their innings further.

However, the reintroduction of Ashwin after the break shifted the game in India’s favor.
Despite limited help from the pitch for spinners, Ashwin, known for his sharp cricketing acumen, didn’t require assistance from the surface.

Ashwin effectively used acute angles from around the wicket against left-handers, particularly troubling Shakib.
Ashwin delivered a slightly deeper ball that hit the handle of Shakib’s bat during a forward defense attempt, resulting in an edge caught by Yashasvi Jaiswal at backward short leg.
Ashwin soon completed his 37th five-wicket haul, equaling Australian legend Shane Warne, by dismissing Mehidy Hasan Miraz (8), who was caught by Jadeja at long-on.
In the process, Ashwin also surpassed New Zealand legend Richard Hadlee’s record of 36 five-wicket hauls.
It marked the fourth occasion when the veteran all-rounder took five wickets or more in a Test match alongside scoring a century.

Jadeja, often playing second fiddle to Ashwin, had his moments as well, dismissing Shanto and Litton Das, the latter edging to Rohit Sharma at first slip.
Shanto’s performance provided a glimmer of hope for Bangladesh ahead of the next match.
Despite wickets falling regularly at the other end, Shanto batted with calm and determination.
He swept, reverse-swept, and cut both spinners and pacers, scoring runs from various angles around the ground.
However, a solo effort was insufficient on this day. Given his aggressive approach, Shanto’s dismissal was only a matter of time and it occurred in the 59th over.
Shanto attempted to hit Jadeja out of the park but fell short in power and timing, resulting in a catch by Jasprit Bumrah at mid-wicket.
This dismissal ended Bangladesh’s slim hopes of extending their innings beyond the first session.
With this loss, Bangladesh needs to strategize and regroup before the second Test in Kanpur, starting on September 27.