Ashwin (102*), Jadeja (86*) lead India fightback against Bangladesh

An unbeaten century by Ravichandran Ashwin led India’s fightback from a poor start against Bangladesh on day one of the first Test in Chennai.

Ashwin hit 102 not out on his home ground – his sixth Test ton – to lift the hosts from 144-6 to 339-6 at the close.

He put on 195 from 227 balls with fellow all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja – their unbroken seventh-wicket stand changing the complexion of a previously strong day for Bangladesh.

India were 36-3 inside the first hour when Virat Kohli was caught behind for six off seamer Hasan Mahmud, who took 4-58.

Mahmud also had captain Rohit Sharma taken at second slip for six and Shubman Gill caught down the leg side for an eight-ball duck.

Rishabh Pant made 39 in his first Test innings since December 2022 following serious injuries sustained in a car accident before he nicked Mahmud through to the wicketkeeper playing a late cut, while opener Yashasvi Jaiswal hit 56.

But Ashwin struck 10 fours and two leg-side sixes to lead India’s counter-attack and reach his century in just 108 balls.

Jadeja, who ended 86 not out, was similarly positive, also hitting 10 fours and two sixes, as he targeted the straight boundaries.

“On a surface like this with a bit of spice, if you’re going after the ball, might as well go after it really hard,” Ashwin said.

“It’s the old Chennai surface with a bit of bounce and carry and the red soil pitch allows you to play a few shots.

“If you’re willing to just get in line and can give the ball a little bit of tonk, it really helps.” (BBC)