In the first day of the much-hyped day-night Test at the Eden Gardens, in front of a sell-out crowd, India lost the toss and Bangladesh batsmen the plot as they were skittled for 106 in their first innings.
India left the question of how effective their spinners would be on a green surface with the pink ball unanswered, as their fast-bowlers continued their fine form and accounted for all ten wickets.
In reply, India eased into a lead of 68 runs for the loss of three wickets, before the end of day’s play. Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara led the way with classy half-centuries.
Going into Day 2, Bangladesh have their backs to the wall once again. They need to pick up a couple of quick wickets on Saturday to stop the hosts from running away with the match.
Ishant, Shami and Umesh decimate Bangladesh
All the concern surrounding the sighting of the pink ball in first ever day-night Test in Asia almost seemed justified after Bangladesh elected to bat. They were bowled out in 30.3 overs with 12 batsmen making their way to the middle, including a concussion substitute.
The great Indian pacers’ show continued as all 10 wickets went to the trio of Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami.
Ishant Sharma, playing in 96th Test picked up his first fifer at home in 12 years.
Ishant Sharma has only his second five-for at home, 12 years since his first against Pakistan 🖐️https://t.co/Rl7lqr69i5 #PinkBallTest pic.twitter.com/OMiWDxzmOs
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) November 22, 2019
With the ball swinging prodigiously and skidding off the surface after pitching, the Bangladesh batsmen were all at sea.
Ishant bowled cutters, Umesh swung the ball away and into the batsman at will and Shami made the batsmen smell the extra lacquer on the ball with some exciting short stuff.
Wriddhiman Saha deserves a special mention for his impeccable wicket-keeping as he was able to read the swing and bounce much better than the batsmen in front of him.
His one-handed grab to dismiss Mahmudullah – diving in front of first slip to snaffle the ball that was dying on him was exquisite.
Only Shadman Islam, Liton Das and tailender Nayeem Hasan made it to double digits as the visitors were blown away for their second lowest total against India.
Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara show how its done under lights
India began batting just as twilight was setting in and they lost both their openers with the score at 43.
Mayank Agarwal guided a short delivery straight into the hands of Mehidy Hasan Miraz at gully and Rohit Sharma was adjudged LBW after choosing to offer no shot to a delivery that swung back in.
The pair of Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli then took control of the innings. Despite a couple of edges down to the third-man boudary, Kohli was in his element. He brought out a long stride to counter the swing and drove imperiously through the ‘V’.
Pujara did what Pujara does – holding one end up with solid defence and punishing the bad deliveries.
During the course of the partnership, Pujara reached 15000 first-class runs while the Indian skipper scored his 5000th run as a Test captain to become the fastest to the landmark among leaders in the history of the longer format.
5000 Test runs as captain for Virat Kohli, the sixth captain to reach this landmark. Also becomes the quickest to reach the tally in 86 innings! #IndvBan #IndvsBan#pinkball#pinkballTest
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) November 22, 2019
Pujara fell for 55, as he failed to convert his fourth half-century of this home season to a big score. He was caught at second slip off the bowling of Ebadat Hossain while trying to defend a good length delivery just outside the off-stump.
Kohli, in the company of his deputy, Ajinkya Rahane batted out the remaining overs.
Two Concussion subs used for the first time in Test history
Image – Twitter
Bangladesh were forced into making two concussion replacements as Liton Das and Nayeem Hasan were both struck on the helmet by bouncers bowled by Shami. Mehidy Hasan and Taijul Islam were the substitutes and they’ll play the remainder of the Test. While Taijul Islam will be allowed to bowl, Mehidy Hasan will play exclusively as a batsman since he is a like-for-like replacement for Das, a batsman.
Brief scores:
Day 1, Stumps
Bangladesh 106 (Islam 29; Ishant 5-22, Umesh 3-29, Shami 2-36)
India 174/3 (Kohli 59*, Pujara 55, Rahane 23*; Hossain 2-48)
