India vs Bangladesh

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India 120/4- 31.2 ov

Bangladesh  Yet to bat

India vs Bangladesh Live Score 1st Test, Day 1: Rishabh Pant becomes Hasan Mahmud's 4th wicket

**India vs Bangladesh 1st Test, Day 1: Live Score and Key Highlights | 2024 Edition**

The much-anticipated India vs Bangladesh 1st Test match has begun, marking India’s return to Test cricket after a brief hiatus. The opening day at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, has already seen plenty of action, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. With Rishabh Pant’s impactful return to Test cricket and Yashasvi Jaiswal's composed knock, the stage is set for an enthralling contest.

### India’s Rocky Start: Hasan Mahmud Shines

The day started with India winning the toss, but things didn’t go as planned. Bangladesh, brimming with confidence after their historic 2-0 Test series win over Pakistan, had a dream start. Hasan Mahmud, Bangladesh’s fiery pacer, delivered a spellbinding performance in the first hour, reducing India to 34/3 in just 10 overs. The early dismissals of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli sent a wave of shock through the Indian camp. Hasan Mahmud claimed all three wickets, making him the standout bowler of the morning session.

### A Resilient Fightback: Pant and Jaiswal Lead the Charge

With India in a precarious position, it was up to Yashasvi Jaiswal and the returning Rishabh Pant to stabilise the innings. Pant, who was playing his first Test in two years, displayed his usual aggressive intent but wisely paced his innings alongside Jaiswal. Together, they built a solid partnership, moving India from a disastrous start to a more respectable 88/3 by lunch. Their controlled aggression saw the momentum shift back in India’s favour, and by the end of the session, the pair had successfully halted Bangladesh's early onslaught.

### Home Advantage: India's Strength at the Chepauk

India’s dominance in home Test matches is unparalleled. Over the last decade, no team has been able to match their performance on home soil. With 17 consecutive series wins at home since 2013, India’s fortress remains the Chepauk Stadium. Bangladesh, despite their recent success against Pakistan, have never won a Test match against India. Out of the 13 Tests played between the two nations, India has won 11, with two matches ending in draws. However, Bangladesh's recent form makes this series one to watch closely.

### The Battle for World Test Championship (WTC) Points

This two-match Test series against Bangladesh is crucial for India, as they aim to secure their spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Following the Bangladesh series, India is set to face New Zealand in a three-match Test series, followed by a five-Test series against Australia. The next six months will be decisive for India's WTC qualification, and this series against Bangladesh could be the perfect platform to fine-tune their preparations.

### Bangladesh's Confidence After Historic Win

Led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, Bangladesh enter this series on a high after their 2-0 victory in Pakistan. Their squad is filled with experienced players like Litton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Shakib Al Hasan, who joined the squad after his stint with Surrey. Bangladesh’s bowling attack, comprising spinners like Taijul Islam and Nayeem Hasan, along with the promising young pacer Nahid Rana, will look to exploit the conditions in Chennai.

Despite India's dominant home record, Bangladesh will look to make an impact, having trained rigorously at the Chepauk prior to the match. Their bowlers will focus on exploiting the red-soil pitch, which traditionally offers bounce and carry, aiding the seamers early on.

### Pitch Report: Red-Soil and Reverse Swing

The pitch at the MA Chidambaram Stadium has been prepared using red soil, similar to the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. This kind of pitch tends to assist seamers with its bounce and pace, especially in the early part of the Test. However, as the match progresses and with Chennai’s humid conditions, spinners could come into play, particularly with reverse swing being a key factor in later sessions.

India, historically strong on spin-friendly tracks, may rely on their quicks in this series, keeping an eye on future Test matches against New Zealand and Australia. Mohammed Shami’s fitness will be monitored ahead of the Australia series, but for now, the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will lead the pace attack. There’s also the possibility of seeing young talents from the Duleep Trophy being given opportunities during this series.

### Key Selection Dilemmas for India

India’s team selection for this Test presented a few interesting dilemmas. One of the primary questions was whether Sarfaraz Khan or KL Rahul would get the nod. Rahul, returning to the Test side after an extended break, was a prime candidate, while Sarfaraz had been making headlines with consistent domestic performances. Ultimately, India opted for a balanced side, with Rishabh Pant reclaiming his place as wicketkeeper, forcing young Dhruv Jurel to the sidelines despite his strong debut series against England.

### Rotation Policy for Bowlers

With a packed international calendar leading up to the Australia tour, India captain Rohit Sharma and the team management are keen on managing the workload of their bowlers. In the lead-up to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, key players like Bumrah and Siraj might be rotated to keep them fresh. The two-Test series against Bangladesh and the subsequent matches against New Zealand will allow India to assess their options, identify backup seamers, and prepare for the all-important Australian challenge.

### Bangladesh’s Strategy for the Series

Bangladesh, under the leadership of Najmul Hossain Shanto, have been impressive in their preparation. The squad has been practising hard in Chennai, with a focus on both spin and pace. Their key spinners, Taijul Islam and Nayeem Hasan, will be expected to play significant roles, especially in the middle overs. The addition of pacer Nahid Rana, who shone against Pakistan, gives Bangladesh more options in their bowling attack.

On the batting front, Bangladesh’s top order, including Litton Das, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, and Mushfiqur Rahim, will be crucial in tackling India’s formidable bowling attack. The challenge will be for Bangladesh to build partnerships and counter India’s varied attack, particularly in spin-friendly conditions.

### Conclusion: A Series to Watch

As India and Bangladesh battle it out in this two-match Test series, fans can expect thrilling cricket. India, with their dominant home record, will look to stamp their authority, but Bangladesh, buoyed by recent successes, are no pushovers. Day 1 of the 1st Test has already shown flashes of brilliance, and the contest promises to only get more exciting in the days to come. Keep an eye on this series as India seeks to consolidate their position in the World Test Championship and prepare for tougher challenges ahead.