Rohit Sharma-led Team India got their red-ball season off to a winning start on Sunday as they defeated Bangladesh by 280 runs in the 1st Test in Chennai. The two-match Test series is part of the 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. (Highlights | Report | More Cricket News)
Put into bat by Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto, India were under the cosh in overcast Chennai conditions. However, local boy Ravichandran Ashwin's century, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ravindra Jadeja fifties helped the hosts post 376 in the first innings.
In reply, Bangladesh were bundled out for 149 but Rohit did not enforce the follow-on. Coming out to bat, despite early wickets, Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill scored centuries as India declared on 287/4 as they set up a target of 515.
Bangladesh were never in the hunt as Ravichandran Ashwin grabbed 6/88 that saw the visitors bowled out for 234. The victory boosted India's chances of qualifying for next year's WTC final at Lord's.
WTC Final 2024 Points Table
After the win, India remain on top of the ICC WTC standings. They have 71.67 percent points (86 points), with Australia in second with 62/50 percent (90 points). Rohit's team have a slight 9.17 percent lead over the Aussies.
The win has consolidated India's position in the WTC Table however they need four more victories in the current WTC cycle from their last nine Test matches. India play another Test against Bangladesh, three against New Zealand (home) and then five away Tests against Australia.
For Bangladesh, the defeat has damaged their chances of qualifying for the final next year. The Tigers were placed fourth with 45.83 percent points prior to the Chennai Test but post the defeat, they slid to sixth with 39.28 percent.
India play Bangladesh next in Kanpur start from September 27.
