The opening Test match between India and Bangladesh in Chennai brought with it a surprising twist. Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bowl first, a decision that hadn’t been made by any team at the Chepauk Stadium in the last 42 years. The last time a team chose to bowl first in Chennai was back in 1982. This decision by Bangladesh not only ended a long-standing trend but also put India in a position that has only happened to them nine times at home.
Bangladesh Breaks a 42-Year-Old Tradition in Chennai
Bangladesh’s choice to bowl first was quite unexpected, especially considering the 42-year gap. In the last 21 Test matches played at Chepauk, every team that won the toss chose to bat first. However, Bangladesh defied the usual strategy, possibly hoping to take advantage of the morning conditions. This decision could set the tone for the rest of the series, marking a bold start by the visitors.
India Faces a Rare Situation for the 9th Time
This was the 9th instance where a team decided to bowl first against India in a home Test match. Out of the previous eight times, Australia was the only team to capitalize on the decision, winning two of those matches. The other teams failed to secure a win, with six matches ending in a draw. Bangladesh, by choosing to bowl, has placed itself in a challenging position as history favors the batting side in such scenarios.
India’s Struggle on Day 1: Early Wickets Fall
The decision to bowl first immediately paid off for Bangladesh as they put India under pressure right from the start. India lost its first three wickets for just 88 runs after lunch, with Bangladesh’s pacer Hasan Mahmud shining. Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli all fell cheaply, scoring only 6, 0, and 6 runs respectively. Hasan Mahmud was the star of the morning, dismissing the top three Indian batsmen.
In the second session, Rishabh Pant tried to steady the innings with a quick 39, but his dismissal gave Bangladesh further momentum. Hasan Mahmud continued to lead the attack, claiming Pant’s wicket as well, leaving India struggling to build a solid foundation.
With Bangladesh’s aggressive bowling and India’s top-order collapse, the Chennai Test promises to be an intriguing contest from the very beginning.
