The first two sessions of the first Test of India’s tour of Bangladesh 2022 in Chattogram haven’t allowed India to dictate terms especially in terms of what one had expected from them after captain KL Rahul won the toss and chose to bat on what appeared to be a batting-friendly surface.
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Notwithstanding the pitch not encompassing of any major demons, India opening batters Shubman Gill (20) and Rahul (22) were dismissed without disrupting Bangladeshi bowlers’ rhythm. While Gill top-edging a paddle sweep resulted in him getting caught by Yasir Ali behind the wickets, Rahul played on a Khaled Ahmed delivery back to his stumps to walk back angrily to the pavilion.
In another setback, former captain Virat Kohli (1) followed Rahul to the dressing room in the next over. In addition to a menial contribution, Kohli also ended up wasting a review.
Wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant (45) hit six fours and two sixes at a strike rate of 102.22 to entertain one and all but was dismissed in the second session to further dent India’s progress.
Since then, vice-captain Cheteshwar Pujara (42*) and batter Shreyas Iyer (41*) have joined hands for a 62-run fifth-wicket partnership. With India scoring 174/4 in 56 overs at tea, the team management and fans would be hoping for these two right-handed batters to build a solid partnership in each other’s presence.
Why Ravindra Jadeja is not playing today vs Bangladesh?
A primary reason why India will need to be a tad bit more wary of the situation is the absence of all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium today.
Not part of a 17-member squad for this series, Jadeja is one of the five changes made by the Indian team since their last Test against England in Birmingham played almost six months ago. Having undergone a knee surgery, Jadeja is yet to attain optimum recovery. With India to host Australia for four Test matches next year, Jadeja would be eyeing a comeback at the highest level by then.
As far as this match is concerned, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav have been included in a three-member spin-attack alongside Ravichandran Ashwin.
