Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav brought their spin prowess to the fore as India trample Bangladesh by 188 runs in the first Test Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Sunday (December 18). While Kuldeep snared eight wickets, including a five-for in the first innings, Axar pestered Bangladesh with a brilliant 4/77 to bundle out the hosts for 324 while defending 513 on Day 5 of the first Test.
Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan launched a fight with his gritty 84 off 108 but could only delay the inevitable and failed to save his side from going down to dominant India. Earlier, Zakir (100 off 224) scored an impressive century for the losing cause.
On Day 5, Shakib resumed batting with Mehidy Hasan by his side at the score of 272/6, but the latter lost his wicket early. Shakib led a lone show, smashing a brave fifty including six sixes and six boundaries. But following his dismissal the Bangladesh tail took no time to fall like a stack of cards. Meanwhile, Axar remained the pick of the bowlers for India in the second innings beside Kudeep's 3/73. Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav and R Ashwin grabbed a wicket apiece.
Riding on this victory, India have surged to the third spot in the World Test championship (WTC) points table by edging past Sri Lanka to fourth in the standings. Team India now has 87 points with 55.77 percentage (PCT) while Sri Lanka have 64 points and 53.33 PCT. Meanwhile, Australia rule the table with 75 PCT and are chased by South Africa (60 PCT). India’s chances will also hinge on the result of the ongoing Australia - South Africa three-Test series. Australia, which recently beat West Indies 2-0 at home, will be through to the final if it blanks the Proteas 3-0.
India has five Tests remaining - one against Bangladesh (December 22-26) and four against Australia at home from February. Assuming India beats Bangladesh 2-0, it would need at least three wins and a draw against Australia to qualify with a minimum PCT of 64.35.
Bangladesh were bowled out for a mere 150 in their first innings. But, set a target of 513 in a bit over two days, they showed great resistance the second time around and finished the fourth day on 272/6. Shakib and Mehidy, the two overnight batters, started positively on the fifth morning, with Mehidy driving Mohammed Siraj on the up through covers in the first over of the day. From the other end, Shakib slog-swept Axar Patel for a six. But as soon as Kuldeep bowled Shakib, the hosts' innings didn't last long after that
India and Bangladesh will now face each other in the second Test which will be played from December 22-26 in Mirpur.
