Cricket fans witnessed a remarkable moment in the 2024 Test match between India and Bangladesh, as a 45-year-old record was broken at Chennai’s iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium. A total of 17 wickets fell on the second day of play, surpassing the previous best of 15 wickets in a single day at this venue, a record that had stood since 1979. This gripping day not only broke an old milestone but also showcased the outstanding skills of both teams, with seamers dominating the day.
The Collapse: A Seamers’ Paradise
The pitch conditions in Chennai were challenging from the start. It offered significant movement and uneven bounce, particularly for fast bowlers, making life difficult for the batsmen. On day two, out of the 17 wickets that fell, 14 were taken by seamers, leaving spinners with only three wickets to their name.
India’s pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, led the charge with a four-wicket haul, using both swing and pace to rattle the Bangladeshi batting order. Taskin Ahmed, Bangladesh’s star bowler, matched Bumrah’s tally by also taking four wickets, exploiting the pitch’s variable bounce to trouble Indian batsmen. Other bowlers such as Akash Deep, Mohammad Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja, Hasan Mahmud, and Mehidy Hasan also contributed with key dismissals, as both teams struggled to maintain partnerships.
The sheer number of wickets falling in one day broke the previous record of 15 wickets, which had occurred three times previously: first against the West Indies in 1979, and twice against England in 2021. This dramatic day in cricket history showed the influence of weather and pitch conditions, along with the relentless effort from the bowlers.
Hasan Mahmud’s Historic Feat
The highlight of the match came from Bangladesh’s Hasan Mahmud. The young pacer created history by taking a five-wicket haul, the first ever by a Bangladeshi bowler on Indian soil in Test cricket. Mahmud’s devastating spell was crucial in bundling India out for 376 in their first innings. He dismissed key Indian players, including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, two of the most prolific batsmen in the world, within the first session.
Mahmud’s figures of 5-83 are now etched in the record books, as he joins an elite group of bowlers who have taken five wickets in a Test innings against India in India. His achievement becomes even more remarkable considering the historical difficulty of pacers succeeding in Indian conditions, where pitches often favor spin bowling. In this match, however, seamers thrived, with Mahmud leading the way.
Bangladesh’s Fightback
While India initially seemed to be in control with a solid total of 376, Bangladesh’s bowling effort ensured the match remained finely balanced. Taskin Ahmed’s brilliant bowling on the second morning helped Bangladesh clean up India’s tail, as he took the last three wickets quickly. His disciplined lines and clever use of the bounce saw the dismissals of Ravindra Jadeja, Akash Deep, and Ravichandran Ashwin.
Bangladesh’s bowlers had set the stage, but it was now up to their batsmen to respond. Unfortunately for Bangladesh, their batting lineup crumbled under the pressure of India’s lethal pace attack. The Indian bowlers, led by Bumrah, took advantage of the spongy bounce and lateral movement, reducing Bangladesh to a precarious position by the end of day two.
A Record-Breaking Day
The fall of 17 wickets in a single day at Chennai’s Chepauk Stadium is now part of cricketing folklore. The previous best of 15 wickets at this venue was a hard-fought achievement, but the 2024 Test will be remembered for the flurry of dismissals that came within just two sessions of play. The conditions on the day were favorable to the fast bowlers, and both teams capitalized on them.
This match has also raised comparisons with the all-time record for the most wickets to fall in one day of Test cricket, which stands at 27, set in a Test match between England and Australia in 1888. While the Chennai Test didn’t reach those historic levels, the 17 wickets that fell here are among the most ever recorded in a single day of modern cricket.
Conclusion
The 2024 India vs Bangladesh Test match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai will be remembered not just for breaking a 45-year-old record, but for showcasing some extraordinary individual performances. Hasan Mahmud’s historic five-wicket haul and Jasprit Bumrah’s mastery with the ball were standout moments in a match filled with drama and excitement.
As cricket fans reflect on the game, this Test will likely be remembered as a day where bowlers dominated, rewriting records in the process. The 17 wickets that fell in one day underline the unpredictable nature of the game and provide a thrilling chapter in the history of Test cricket.