Team India took control of the opening Test in Chennai, putting Bangladesh on the backfoot with a commanding display on Day 2.
After posting 376 in the first innings, Jasprit Bumrah led a dominant effort from the Indian bowlers, as Bangladesh was bowled out for just 149. With a substantial lead, India chose not to enforce the follow-on and instead looked to set a massive target for the visitors.
On Day 3, Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant delivered a batting masterclass, further demoralizing the Bangladesh bowlers.
As the session progressed, an amusing moment unfolded when Pant cheekily suggested field adjustments to Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. Preparing to face the bowler, Pant pointed to the leg-side, telling Shanto, “Arey idhar aayega ek. Idhar kam fielder hai” (Hey, put a fielder here. There aren’t enough fielders here). Surprisingly, Shanto complied and moved a fielder to midwicket.
This moment drew comparisons to a similar incident involving MS Dhoni during the 2019 ODI World Cup. Dhoni had famously told Bangladesh’s Sabbir Rahman to adjust the square-leg fielder without consulting his captain, Mashrafe Mortaza.
Earlier in the match, Bangladesh made a promising start under overcast conditions, reducing India to 144/6 after claiming three wickets for just 36 runs. However, they failed to capitalize as Ravichandran Ashwin (113) and Ravindra Jadeja (86) staged a crucial partnership to get India back on track.
On Day 2, Bangladesh’s batters struggled against India’s quality pace attack, with Bumrah leading the charge with four wickets. Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep picked up two wickets each, while Jadeja also claimed two scalps.
Though India had another shaky start in the second innings, with Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Virat Kohli falling cheaply, Gill and Pant ensured the momentum remained firmly in India’s favor.