Opener Yashasvi Jaiwal’s consistency aside, the rest of the top-order’s struggle even in home conditions has been a regular feature for Team India over the last three-and-a-half years. Equally crucial, though, has been the role of the lower order, which has shown a lot of determination to bail the side out during India’s unbeaten stint at home for nearly 12 years.
On Thursday, the opening day of the first Test against Bangladesh, a familiar script unfolded at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Led by pacer Hasan Mahmud (4/58), Bangladesh stung India and reduced them to 144/6 late in the day’s second session.
But little did the visitors know what lay ahead.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s ability with the bat, particularly in Indian conditions, cannot be underestimated. As for Ravindra Jadeja, whether he bats at No. 7 or 8 or even up the order, it matters little as he’s more of a game-changer if he gets going.
Both Ashwin and Jadeja’s bats did the talking as India counterpunched to race to 339/6 at stumps on Thursday. On a spicy, lively red soil Chennai pitch, such a brilliant recovery was possible as Ashwin (102 batting off 112 balls) and Jadeja (86 batting off 117 balls) caught the bull by the horns.
Following the tame dismissals of captain Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and comeback men Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul, an unbroken stand of 195 in just 37.4 overs was gold dust for India.
For Bangladesh, it was yet another instance of losing the plot despite having the advantage. They must have not guessed that they would be hit this hard by two all-rounders — though Ashwin is hardly considered a genuine all-rounder despite his batting exploits from time to time. In the face of the onslaught, they looked clueless.
Barring pacer Mahmud, the other Bangladeshi bowlers were inconsistent with their lengths. But that both Jadeja and Ashwin were switched on from ball one, something Gautam Gambhir had emphasised ahead of his first Test as India’s head coach, also spoiled the visitors’ plans.
The pitch gradually eased up as Ashwin, who turned 38 last Tuesday, reached his sixth Test century.
Ashwin’s 90-plus strike rate did come as a surprise before the distinguished off-spinner put it down to his Tamil Nadu Premier League stint in July and August for Dindigul Dragons, with whom he scored 57, 69 not out and 52 in his last three innings.
Ashwin also did not forget to acknowledge Jadeja’s help en route to his second consecutive Test century at home. “There was a time when I was perspiring and getting a bit tired. Jaddu’s advice that we didn’t have to convert the twos into threes was really helpful for me,” Ashwin said after the day’s play.
