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In a gripping encounter between India and Bangladesh, Hasan Mahmud put the spotlight on himself by shaking up India’s top order. The first Test of the series at Chennai saw the Bangladesh pacer dismiss India’s key batsmen—Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli—early on, leaving India reeling at 34/3. The 24-year-old speedster from Lakshmipur, Bangladesh, bowled with tremendous accuracy, utilizing the pitch’s assistance to swing the ball both ways. This spell of incisive bowling marked a significant moment for Hasan, who is gradually emerging as Bangladesh’s pace spearhead.
Despite this early carnage, India managed to claw their way back into the game thanks to the steady hands of Yashasvi Jaiswal and the returning Rishabh Pant. Jaiswal, known for his aggressive batting style and resilience, initially weathered the storm, playing cautiously against Mahmud’s fiery pace. This composure soon paid off as he began to unleash his strokes, especially against the spinners, which Bangladesh had brought in after Mahmud’s initial success. Jaiswal, who has been in sensational form since his Test debut, showcased maturity beyond his years, steadily guiding India out of trouble.
At the other end, Rishabh Pant, making a comeback after a lengthy layoff, appeared determined to mark his return with a statement. The swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batsman did not waste time getting into his groove, delivering a mix of aggression and patience. Pant’s ability to counterattack, particularly against the spin bowlers, shifted the momentum slightly in India’s favor. He struck a few elegant boundaries and launched a slog-sweep into the stands, reminding everyone of his natural flair. Despite struggling against leg-spin deliveries in the past, Pant showed improved footwork, confidently dispatching loose deliveries.
The partnership between Jaiswal and Pant not only steadied the Indian innings but also gave the home crowd something to cheer about after the initial collapse. They added over 90 runs together, countering the disciplined bowling attack and moving the team towards a respectable total. Pant’s comeback was particularly significant, as he had been sidelined due to injury for several months. His return added depth to India’s middle order, and his natural game provided a good counterbalance to Jaiswal’s more measured approach.
Hasan Mahmud’s performance, however, remained the talking point of the day. Bowling with aggression and control, he troubled the Indian batsmen with his ability to swing the ball late and extract bounce off the surface. It’s a sign of Bangladesh’s growing strength in the pace department, an area traditionally dominated by spinners. His rise through the ranks of Bangladesh cricket has been rapid, and this performance against one of the world’s strongest batting lineups could well cement his place as the leader of their attack.
Despite the early breakthroughs by Hasan Mahmud, Bangladesh still had a lot of work ahead of them. While Jaiswal and Pant offered resistance, Bangladesh’s spinners, led by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, still posed a significant threat. The remainder of the Indian batting lineup, including all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, would need to step up if India were to post a competitive total.
As the day progressed, the battle between India’s batsmen and Bangladesh’s bowlers remained finely poised. With Hasan Mahmud proving to be a revelation and Jaiswal and Pant leading the charge for India, the contest was set up for an exciting finish. The first Test, already full of dramatic moments, promises to offer more thrilling twists as both teams fight for control in this highly anticipated series.