India’s pace battery again came to the party as the hosts annihilated Bangladesh by an innings and 130 runs in the first Test at Indore. With this win- achieved within less than three days, Indian skipper Virat Kohli overtook Mahendra Singh Dhoni as the captain with most innings victories in the country’s history.
Here are our talking points from the first test.
1.Mayank Agarwal’s rich vein of form with the bat continues
Mayank Agarwal’s dream run with the bat continued as he notched up yet another test double hundred. His 243 was more than what the entire Bangladesh team achieved in their two innings (150 and 213)
Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli fell cheaply, but Agarwal ground Bangladesh’s bowlers into the dust with his double century. He was particularly severe on both Mehidy Hassan and Taijul Islam, and reached his 200 in Sehwag-esque fashion by smashing Mehidy into the stands.
In each of their four home tests this season, India have managed at least one double centurion- a key factor in their success.
2. Three consecutive wins by an innings for the Men in Blue
India continued from they had left off against South Africa by completing yet another innings victory here against Bangladesh. This Indore win means they have now won three successive tests by an innings for the first time since 1993/94. They are not just beating their opponents but mercilessly trampling all over them.
3. Bangladesh batsmen no match for India’s bowlers
Bangladesh batsmen came a cropper against India’s fiery pace attack. The trio of Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami wreaked havoc in both the innings as the visitors crumbled in the face of some accurate bowling.
Apart from Mushfiqur Rahim and to an extent Liton Das, all the other Bangladesh batsmen struggled to get going. Despite skipper Mominul Haque winning the toss, (something Faf Du Plessis was unable to do for South Africa on their entire tour) the Tigers slumped to a heavy defeat.
Some very, very nice shots being played here by Liton Das. Fantastic timing- the type of stroke play that attracts neutrals. Clearly has the talent- hopefully will get the coaching that can make him more consistent #INDvBAN #sscricket
— thecricketblog (@thecricblogger) November 16, 2019
4. Abu Jayed lone shining light for Bangladesh bowlers
The Tigers took a risk by going in with only four specialist bowlers. With the exception of Jayed, the rest of the bowlers were lacklustre. Spinners Mehidy and Taijul were expensive- going for nearly 250 runs between them at over four an over.
Jayed claimed four of India’s six wickets, including the prize scalps of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
5. Handy lead for India at the top of the WTC table
India already have 300 points to their name in the World Test Championship table. If they win their day & night test in Kolkata as expected, they will take their tally to a whopping 360 points- New Zealand in second place have only 60.
It’s early days but India probably have one foot in the WTC final.
Bangladesh (150 and 213 all out) lost to India (493/6) by an innings and 130 runs
Man of the Match: Mayank Agarwal (IND)