India captain Rohit Sharma lauded the red soil pitch at Chennai, saying it demanded a lot of patience to bat or bowl on the Chepauk track in the first Test of the two-match series. After India’s thumping 280-run win over Bangladesh, captain Rohit reflected on the patience and adaptability required on the unique surface, emphasizing how crucial it was to their comprehensive win.
R Ashwin stole the show with a match-winning performance for India, claiming a six-wicket haul to add to his century in the Chennai Test. Ravindra Jadeja provided strong support, taking three wickets of his own, as India secured a commanding 280-run victory over Bangladesh. “It was a great result looking at what lies ahead for us. We are playing after a long time, but you are never out of cricket. We came here a week before, and we got the result we wanted,” Rohit said during the post-match presentation.
The match started with India putting up a solid first-innings total. However, it was the bowlers who truly seized the opportunity. Rohit turned to his spinners after his pace attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, found little initial success. Bangladesh seemed to be holding firm until Ashwin broke through, dismissing Shakib Al Hasan and triggering a collapse.
Ashwin finished with a remarkable 6-wicket haul, while Jadeja contributed two wickets of his own. The victory marked India’s biggest margin against Bangladesh in terms of runs, setting the tone for the remainder of the series.
“Beautiful pitch, red soil always offers a lot. You have to be patient. You’ve gotten used to things happening every ball in India, but it wasn’t the case here. We were patient to get the big runs and take wickets,” Rohit explained, highlighting the importance of discipline and perseverance in Chennai’s unique conditions.
Ashwin, who was instrumental in securing the win, received special praise from his captain. “He’s always there for us over the years. I don’t know if I speak here it’ll be enough to cover what he does for the team. He looks like he’s never out of the game,” said Rohit.
With this victory, India takes a 1-0 lead in the series. For Bangladesh.
