India vs Bangladesh: Second Test: Day 1

If there were doubts creeping in about India’s numero uno status in the Tests after the first Test against Bangladesh (though a convincing victory was achieved), the opening day performance in the second Test must have convinced everybody who the boss is. Indeed, Bangladesh was never supposed to pose a serious challenge to India’s new found ego of being the top ranked cricketing side in the world, but cricket, being a game of glorious uncertainties, can always throw some unknown challenges at every step. But Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma didn’t allow that to happen atleast in the first innings of Bangladesh, skittling them out for a paltry 233, with Mahmadullah missing out on a ton by just four runs being the high point of glory for the home side.

India has started their reply, quite fashionably and at their usual brisk pace finishing the day at 69/0 with both Sehwag and Gambhir looking composed and in a hurry.

Brief Score:

Bangladesh (1st Innings): 233 (Mahmadullah 96, Ishant Sharma 4/66, Zaheer 3/62)
India (1st Innings): 69/0

India vs Bangladesh: Second Test: Day 1

If there were doubts creeping in about India’s numero uno status in the Tests after the first Test against Bangladesh (though a convincing victory was achieved), the opening day performance in the second Test must have convinced everybody who the boss is. Indeed, Bangladesh was never supposed to pose a serious challenge to India’s new found ego of being the top ranked cricketing side in the world, but cricket, being a game of glorious uncertainties, can always throw some unknown challenges at every step. But Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma didn’t allow that to happen atleast in the first innings of Bangladesh, skittling them out for a paltry 233, with Mahmadullah missing out on a ton by just four runs being the high point of glory for the home side.

India has started their reply, quite fashionably and at their usual brisk pace finishing the day at 69/0 with both Sehwag and Gambhir looking composed and in a hurry.

In the morning, the way Zaheer and Ishant started, it seemed India was in a rush to finish off the 5-day match within three days. Bangla batsmen too seemed to have agreed to that belief, fishing out numerous catches behind the wicket for easy pickings. As a result, MS Dhoni who returned to lead the side, finished with a five catch haul and Rahul Dravid complemented adding two more catches to his already world record haul of Test catches.

Bangladesh seemed to realise for the first time that it was a Test match they were playing and not any ODIs when they were down at 5/51. Mohammad Ashraful, first test hero of Bangladesh Mushfiqur Rahim and lastly Mahmadullah then joined in to consolidate the innings and bring some respectability to the total. If not for them, Bangladesh would have found it difficult to even cross triple figures today at Mirpur.

The concern now is whether the Indian batsmen now allow the Test match to continue beyond three days or maximum four days. Without being sounding overtly snooty, it was a pathetic display of batsmanship by the Bangla batsmen today. But again, a game is not over till the last ball is bowled, as they say.

So it’s better to wait and watch the game for now!

Brief Score:

Bangladesh (1st Innings): 233 (Mahmadullah 96, Ishant Sharma 4/66, Zaheer 3/62)
India (1st Innings): 69/0