India’s spin and pace spearheads pick four each to restrict Bangladesh to under-par total of 227 in Mirpur; Mominul only batsman to show composure
India’s R Ashwin (right) celebrates a Bangladesh wicket with teammates at Mirpur yesterday. Pics/AFP
Umesh Yadav’s incisive spells with the old ball and Ravichandran Ashwin’s controlled effort put India in complete command as Bangladesh were bowled out for a below-par 227 on the opening day of the second Test here on Thursday.
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No Kuldeep on turning track
At stumps, India reached 19 for no loss with skipper KL Rahul batting on three in company of Shubman Gill (14). Some of the balls bowled by Bangladeshi spinners were turning square and the decision to drop last Test’s player of the match Kuldeep Yadav is looking a controversial one.
India pacer Umesh Yadav appeals during Day One v Bangladesh
When Bangladesh batted, Umesh (4-25) led the Indian pace attack manfully while Ashwin (4-71) closed in on a career-haul of 450 wickets (447 currently) on a day when Jaydev Unadkat’s (2-50) returned to Test fold after 12 long years.
Former skipper Mominul Haque (84) was the only batter who showed admirable patience for more than four hours but he hardly enjoyed any support from the other end. Zakir Hasan (15) and Najmul Hosain Shanto (24) added 39 for the first wicket but more importantly saw off the morning spell from Umesh and Mohammed Siraj.
It was Unadkat who got the first breakthrough when the ball bounced a tad more and was caught in the slips.
However, the Saurashtra player bowled a better delivery to get the stodgy Mushfiqur Rahim when he came round the wicket and angled one into the batter. The ball straightened enough after pitching as it completely squared up Rahim.
All praise for fellow pacer
“When he [Unadkat] made his debut I was with him in South Africa. So, I’m very happy for him that he finally got his chance. He has performed well in the domestic season,” said Umesh.
“When he came into bowl with the new ball, the ball was doing a bit, many balls took the nick of batter’s gloves,” he said of Unadkat.
However, the most impressive bowler for India was Umesh himself, who consistently pitched the ball up. What was heartening to see was that along with his stock ball—the outswinger—he has also developed a potent inswinger, one which he used to get rid of Nurul Hasan.
He also got important wickets of Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Litton Das (25) played an attacking knock but got out flicking a full length delivery from Ashwin straight to captain KL Rahul.
It was Ashwin, who removed Mominul at the fag end of the day when he shaped for an expansive drive and then decided to check his stroke but the ball kissed his gloves into Rishabh Pant’s gloves.
Also Read: Skipper Shakib has recovered: Bowling coach Allan Donald
Brief scores
Bangladesh 227 (M Haque 84; U Yadav 4-25, R Ashwin 4-71, J Unadkat 2-50) v India 19-0
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