IND v BAN only Test Day 1 Review: Vijay, Kohli smash centuries, India on top

Finally, the historic moment was here as Bangladesh locked horns with the No.1 Test team India their backyard for the first time in their Test cricket history. The Bangla Tigers made their Test debut way back in 2000 against the same opponents but this will be their maiden Test on Indian soil. The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad is traditionally a batting paradise but it does have something for the seam bowlers in the morning session.

Captain Virat Kohli decided to play an extra seamer in place of Jayant Yadav and replaced him with Bhuvneshwar Kumar. As expected the fit Ajinkya Rahane made a return in place of Karun Nair. It is really harsh on Nair to be left out after scoring a triple century in his previous Test but as Kohli said Rahane is always the preferred choice batsman in the team and one innings is not to replace two years of hard work.

Having won the toss Virat decided to bat first but the hosts were jolted in the very first over of the match as Taskin Ahmed removed Lokesh Rahul on the fourth delivery of the innings. Rahul attempted an expansive drive of a full pitched delivery which just moved a tad and took the inside edge of his bat to disturb the timber. It was a big breakthrough for the visitors very early in the innings.

Pujara joined Murali Vijay in the middle as the duo looked to rebuild the Indian innings after the early loss. Kamrul Islam Rabbi and Taskin bowled two consecutive maidens as India went off to a sedate start. It was a beautiful display of seam bowling by the Bangladesh duo. Pujara struck his first boundary of the 6th over of Kamrul and Vijay did the same in the very next over.

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The boundaries started to come a little more as Pujara struck a couple of boundaries more and Vijay added a couple more within the next few overs. They were looking in complete control of proceedings and it looked pretty difficult to dislodge them. Bangladesh got a big opportunity in the 19th over as Mehedi Hasan missed a simple run out chance. Kamrul Islam threw the ball at half-volley and Mehedi missed it completely. It was a mediocre showing by the teenager which might hurt Bangladesh during the course of the Test.

Only one boundary was struck in the last 9 overs of the session as the hosts ended 1st session of Day 1 at the score 86/1. While Pujara is batting on 39, Vijay is unbeaten on 45. The hosts will look to consolidate on their impressive beginning while Bangladesh will try to break the partnership sooner than later.

Team India continued their good work in the only Test against Bangladesh at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad as the hosts made their way to a commanding 206/2 at the end of the 2nd session. Murali Vijay and captain Virat Kohli is out in the middle with only the loss of Cheteshwar Pujara’s wicket in the 2nd session. It was sensible batting by the experienced middle order despite some pretty impressive bowling from the Bangladesh bowlers.

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Beginning the session at 86/1, Pujara started off with a boundary of Kamrul Islam Rabbi in the 30th over and Vijay followed it up with one more in the very next over of Shakib-al-Hasan. The experienced duo was rotating the strike and ticking along the scoreboard.

There was very less assistance for the Bangladesh spinners with only one or two deliveries turning a great deal. Despite getting beaten on a few occasions, the Indian duo applied themselves and stitched together a crucial 178 runs partnership for the 2nd wicket.

Vijay showed his aggressive side in the 41st over as the Tamil-Nadu lad smashed Shakib for a six and a four to ease off the nerves which were starting to build faster tight bowling by the Bangladesh bowlers.

The run feast continued as both consolidated on their half-century and looked pretty settled in the middle. After scoring a brilliant 83, Pujara was eventually dismissed by teenage sensation Mehedi Hasan. It was a good delivery from the youngster which took the outside edge of Pujara’s bat and was safely pouched by the slip fielder.

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Captain Kohli joined Vijay in the middle and began with a cracking cover drive of Mehedi. He again struck a beautiful straight drive of Taskin Ahmed in the very next over. He looked in complete control of proceedings and played sensibly as India ended the session comfortably placed at 206/2. Murali Vijay who is batting on 98 will to complete his elusive three-figure mark as soon as possible.

Coming into the final session, Murali Vijay completed his 9th century of his Test career but just after completing his century, the top order batsman gave away his wicket to Taijul Ismal. He attempted a sweep which went through his defence and disturbed the timbers.

Virat Kohli, on the other hand, was joined by Ajinkya Rahane in the middle and the duo looked in complete control. The Bangladesh bowlers were hardly troubling the Indian batsmen as they host dominated on their position of strength. Kohli reached his half-century in the 73rd over.

The duo played very sensibly and was rotating the strike along. Though they hardly took any risks but the scoreboard was motoring along at a steady pace. Kohli finally reached his 16th Test century in the 87th over whipping a delivery from Mehedi Hasan towards the mid-wicket region.

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The duo struck as many as 6 boundaries in the last 5 overs of the day to push the Indian score to 356/3 in 90 overs. While Kohli is batting on 111, Rahane is unbeaten on 45.

Brief Scores

India 356/3 (Virat Kohli 111, Murali Vijay 108, Cheteshwar Pujara 83, Taskin Ahmed 1/31, Mehedi Hasan 1/70, Taijul Islam 1/50)