India started their long Test season with a commanding win over Bangladesh in the first Test in Chennai.
Rohit Sharma’s side secured a 280-run victory, finishing the game with more than five sessions to spare. Bangladesh, chasing 515, collapsed to 234 in their second innings on Day 4. The win not only gave India a 1-0 lead but also strengthened their top spot in the WTC points table.
Put in to bat under challenging conditions, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja rescued India with a century partnership after a top-order collapse. Ashwin scored his sixth career century, helping India post 376.
Jasprit Bumrah, returning from injury, led the bowling attack with four wickets as Bangladesh were bowled out for 149. Shubman Gill (119*) and Rishabh Pant (109) extended India’s lead, setting a target of 515. Ashwin then took 6 for 88 to wrap up the win.
With this victory, India’s points percentage increased to 71.66, extending their lead over second-placed Australia.
India still needs at least four more wins in their remaining nine Tests, including the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur, to secure a spot in the WTC final. Bangladesh dropped to sixth place, with their points percentage falling to 39.28.