Welcome to the highlights of Day 4 of the first Test between India and Bangladesh being played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
India blew Bangladesh away by 280 runs in the first game of the two-match Test series at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai
Welcome to the highlights of Day 4 of the first Test between India and Bangladesh being played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Can Bangladesh's current skipper Najmul Hossian Shanto and former captain Shakib Al Hasan stitch a good partnership, and ignite some belief in the dressing room with an Everest to climb? Or will it be one-way traffic? Stay tuned as we are just about 30 minutes away from the first ball on Day 4.
Shubman Gill after his critics-silencing Chepauk knock
"Even when I was not scoring runs, I always thought I made the right call (moving to No.3), it was never about the number, it was just about my own performance. It was more about me being able to play both the roles - playing spin and pace. In the India A and Ranji Trophy matches that I played, I did bat at No. 5, No.4 and No. 3 as well and I did score some runs there. I was always confident about me being able to score runs apart from opening. There's a different kind of confidence you get when you stand your ground and you punch a bowler down the ground."
And we are underway on Day 4, and it we start off with an uneventful first over with a watchful Shakib Al Hasan seeing off Mohammed Siraj. Will spin be introduced from the other end?
Yes, Jadeja it is.
Bangladesh fairly look confident, and have brilliantly seen through the first few overs from Siraj, Bumrah and Jadeja. No sight of Ashwin as of now. However, he is expected to be introduced soon with two left-handers out in the middle.
More intent from Shakib, and he's looked good so far in the day. Both Bangladesh batters have put in the hard work that needs to be put up in Test cricket, and the first 35 minutes speak for the work done. Very disciplined from the visitors.
And there goes a chance begging! Shakib survives, and Jadeja does not seem impressed as Pant misses a straightforward stumping. A bit of bounce from the rough, but the keeper fails to grab it. On the other hand, Siraj is constantly asking questions.
Time for a drink at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, and the first 60 minutes have been guided well by Shakib and Shanto! An hour of defiance. They have showed great application, with a slight bit of luck. Great cricket overall.
Takes him four balls is for Ashwin. Easy peasy. On a cloudy day in Chennai, the off-spinner gets India's first breakthrough for the day. What a bowler. Shakib as to make the long walk back after all the hard yards. India are five wickets away.
Just not what the doctor ordered for Bangladesh, but it was inevitable the way Litton Das was playing. Jadeja has his first for the day and Chennai erupts. India are just four wickets away now. Suddenly, it is turning and bouncing for Jadeja.
Ravichandran Ashwin in Chennai. Five-for to go with a Test century. What can he not do now? What can he not do ever? The veteran offie gives a bit of air and Mehidy Hasan Miraz falls for it as he hits one straight to long on. India are three wickets away with 30 minutes to go in the first session.
Shanto fights, but falls for 82. It has truly been an exceptional innings. However, the target was far, far away. Jadeja has another, and India now are on the cusp of victory. The spin twins have done it again for the hosts. Two wickets away.
Bangladesh are falling like a pack of cards now. It is all getting over very quickly. Ashwin has six to his name. It has all gone down quick after Shanto and Shakib's first hour of defiance. India, one wicket away to go 1-0 up in the series.
And that's all over. It's all India, it's all Ashwin. 6/88. The writing was on the wall after the veteran got his first wicket. India win by 280 runs. Jadeja ends up with three in the second innings, and 299 overall. Complete dominance from India.
Gautam Gambhir's first Test as India head coach starts off with a bang. However, it did not seem like the game was taking this route three hours into the first day, but Ravichandran Ashwin happened, and boom, it was all over.
They sure make them tough in India, and the Chennai man was not going to compromise after a wicket-less first innings. What a Test for the local boy.
Bangladesh Captain | Najmul Hossain Shanto
"The positive thing is the way Hasan, Taskin and Nahid Rana bowled in the first innings. They (India) batted really well. Seaming option - everyone contributed. We have bowled well with the new ball but we have to continue that. As a batter, I always try to contribute. I enjoy my batting. Just try to bat as long as possible without thinking about the result, that's what we wanted to do."
India Captain | Rohit Sharma
"It was a great result looking at what lies ahead for us. We are playing after a long time, but you are never out of cricket. We came here a week before, we wanted the result we wanted. (Pant's hundred) He's been through some really tough times. The way he has managed himself was superb to watch. He came back in the IPL, followed by a successful World Cup and this is a format he loves the most.
"It was about giving him the game time. Credit to him, he had an impact straightaway. No matter what the conditions are, we want to build the team around that. In the last few years, wherever we have played, we have managed to have that in the armoury. You have to give credit to the guys, they want to put their hand up.
"The red soil pitch always has something to offer. You need to have a little bit of patience as well. This was a pitch where we had to show a lot of patience. We were patient enough with the bat and with the ball as well to put them under pressure."
Player of the Match | Ravichandran Ashwin
"Every time I play in Chennai, it's an amazing feeling for me. I have watched a lot of Test cricket and international cricket sitting in those stands. I am probably enjoying my play because what I am doing. It was an opportunity to fight and dig in deep. I kept it simple, have to thank Jadeja who helped me. Quite a special knock, didn't sink in till day two. I make a living by bowling. Bowling comes first. Batting is something that comes naturally. Over the last few years, I have tried to compartmentalise."
Most wickets in fourth innings for India
99 - Ravichandran Ashwin
94 - Anil Kumble
60 - Bishan Bedi
54 - Ishant Sharma/ Ravindra Jadeja
It was all a game of phases for Bangladesh, however, phases are just not good enough in India. They will have questions, lots of them, and will they answer it in Kanpur, only time will tell. Whereas for India, it is joy and pure joy as the home dominance continues. We will be back soon, and until then, take care and goodbye!