A brilliant bowling display by the Indian pace bowlers, Virat Kohli, Pujara half-centuries put the hosts in a commanding position at the end of day 1 of historic Pink Ball Test match played at Eden Garden’s, Kolkata on Friday.
Bangladesh captain Mominal Haque won the toss and decided to bat first. Imrul Kayes and Shadman Islam showed some trust with confidence against Umesh Yadav and Ishant who struggled in the first few overs . Imrul Kayes survived a close LBW shout as the umpire gave it out and on review Joel Wilson reversed his decision to not out. Few balls later, Ishant Sharma dismissed Kayes LBW to get India the breakthrough.
Mominal Haque was caught with a stunning one-handed catch by Rohit Sharma at slips by Umesh Yadav. In the next ball, Yadav got the wicket of Mohammad Mithun to put the visitors in big trouble at 17 for 3. Shami got the dangerous batsman from Bangladesh team, Mushfiqur Rahim to leave the visitors in deep trouble. Liton Das looked confident with his stroke play and tried to put pressure on Indian bowling line up. Umesh Yadav got his 3rd wicket dismissing Shadman Islam for 29. Mahmdullah and Das played few good shots before Ishant got the wicket of Mahmudllah with a stunning one-handed catch by Wriddhiman Saha. Before the Supper break, Liton Das was forced to retire hurt as a bouncer by Mohammed Shami hit his head. Bangladesh ended the first session at 73 for 6.
In the 2nd session, Ishant Sharma dismissed Ebadt Hossain with a beauty of delivery. Mehidy Hasan Miraz who came as a concussion substitute for Liton Das played some lovely strokes before Ishant Sharma dismissed him with good catch by Cheteshwar Pujara. Sharma bowled Nayeem Islam to pick up his 5th wicket. Shami wrapped up Bangladesh innings dismissing Abu Jayed with a rebound catch to Pujara. Bangladesh were bowled out for 106 in 30.3 overs. Ishant Sharma took 5 for 22, Umesh Yadav 3 for 29 and Mohammed Shami 2 for 36.
In reply, Mayank Agarwal and Rohit Sharma provided a quick-fire start to the innings scoring 26 runs. Al Amin Hossain dismissed Mayank for 14. Rohit Sharma was given a reprieve as he was dropped by Al Amin Hossain. At the tea break, India ended on 35 for 1.
Soon after the Tea break, Rohit Sharma was brilliantly dismissed by Al Amin Hossain for 21. The ball hit the stumps and Rohit decided to review it as the decision stood out. Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli tackled the Pink ball nicely with positive stroke play and made the batting look easy. Pujara reached his fifty off 93 balls while the Indian captain too completed his half-century off 76 balls. Edabat Hossain dismissed well set Pujara for 55. Pujara and Kohli added 94 runs for the 3rd wicket. Ajinkya Rahane played with confidence and made sure that India went into stumps at 174 for 3.
India 174 for 3 in 46 overs ( Virat Kohli 59*, Cheteshwar Pujara 55, Ebadat Hossain 2/61) lead Bangladesh 106 in 30.3 overs ( Shadman Islam 29, Liton Das 24, Ishant Sharma 5/22, Umesh Yadav 3/29) by 68 runs.
