India won the first Test match by 188 runs to take a 0-1 lead in the two-match away series against Bangladesh on Sunday (December 18). Coming to bat from 272/6 on Day 5, Bangladesh's innings collapsed on just 324 runs in just 11.2 overs. Kuldeep Yadav took two wickets, including Shakib Al Hasan's, while Axar Patel dismissed Taijul Islam to end the match with his fourth wicket of the innings.
Cheteshwar Pujara and Shubman Gill scored centuries on Day 3 as India declared their innings on 258/2 to put a 513-run target for the hosts. India were always favourites to win this match on Day 4 itself but Bangladesh put up a good fight and dragged the game for last day.
Zakir Hasan scored a century on his debut on Day 4 and captain Shakib Al Hasan contributed with 84 runs off just 108 balls with the help of six fours and six sixes. For India, Axar Patel took four wickets and Kuldeep managed to get three in the last innings, while Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, and Ravichandran Ashwin grabbed one each.
Kuldeep Yadav's successful comeback to Test cricket:
The 28-year-old spinner has been in and out of India's white-ball team lately but returned to playing XI for the Test after 22 months gap. India played with three spin options with veteran Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel in the team but Kuldeep proved the best with a match-winning performance in the first Test.
He scored crucial 40 runs off 114 runs to help India score 404 runs in the first innings and a took five-for to bowl out Bangladesh for just 150 runs. He grabbed three more wickets in the second innings to conclude the match with 8 for 113 and won the player of the match award.
Cheteshwar Pujara scored a century after almost four years:
The veteran batter scored 90 runs off 203 runs in the first innings, the highest scorer for India, but missed on his hundred. But he managed to score his 19th Test century by smashing 102* off just 130 balls at a strike rate of 78.46, his fastest-ever Test century. Indian management will be pleased with his performance as Pujara scored a hundred after 52 innings and after almost four years.
Losing captain, Shakib Al Hasan said
It was a good wicket to bat on, but we didn't bat well [in the first innings]. There should be no excuse. Lot of credit to India, as they created pressure. Zakir has been scoring lots of runs in domestic cricket. Hopefully many more hundreds to come.
Winning captain, KL Rahul said
We've been here for a while, and one-day series didn't go how we wanted it to. A hard-fought Test, and really happy we won. The pitch did flatten out - it did worry us - but in the first few innings, it was difficult to get runs. Important that the lower order contributes. Shubman and Puji utilised the opportunity, and got hundreds. Seamers got wickets in the first innings... we've always had a good bowling attack.
Player of the match, Kuldeep Yadav said
Happy with my performance, both with bat and ball. In the first innings, the wicket was quicker than in the first. I was bowling quicker in the second innings. Probably more revs on the ball makes batsmen step down, and plenty of variation as well. That makes it difficult for batsmen to pick which one is to come.
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