India go one up with 113-run win in first Test
India took a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series when they beat Bangladesh by 113 runs in the first Test at Chittagong on January 21. Needing an improbable 415 for victory, Bangladesh were all out for 301 in their second innings.
The Bangladesh second innings was marked by a brilliant 101 by wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim, who got his maiden Test century in the process. The innings deserves special praise because he had to bat with the tail for quite a long time. Opener Tamim Iqbal was the other useful contributor who made 52. For India, leg-spinner Amit Mishra was the most successful bowler taking 4 for 92. Ishant Sharma (3/48) and Zaheer Khan (2/94) also bowled well.
Only one run ahead in the first innings, India declared their second innings at 413 for 8. Gautam Gambhir (116) became the first Indian to score five centuries in five consecutive Tests. It was the left-hander’s ninth Test ton. While VVS Laxman remained unbeaten on 69, nightwatchman Mishra scored 50, his first half century in Tests. Mahmudullah and skipper Shakib Al Hasan claimed two wickets apiece for 52 and 87 respectively.
The Indian bowlers did extremely well to dismiss the home team for 242, a run short of their first innings score. Mahmudullah made 69 while Rahim contributed 44. Zaheer (3/54) and Mishra (3/66) were the most successful bowlers ably supported by Ishant (2/47) and Sreesanth (2/55).
After stand-in skipper Virender Sehwag was dismissed for a brisk 52, the Indian middle order suffered a collapse in the first innings. But Sachin Tendulkar, with some support from the tail, gave the total some respectability scoring an unbeaten 105, his 44th Test century. The maestro also went past the 13000-run mark in the process. For the home team, Shahadat Hossain and Shakib took 5 wickets each for 71 and 62 respectively.
Tendulkar was adjudged Man of the Match.
Brief scores: India 243 (Tendulkar 105*, Sehwag 52; Shakib 5/62, Shahadat 5/71) and 413 for 8 decld. (Gambhir 116, Laxman 69*, Mishra 50); Bangladesh 242 Mahmudullah 69; Zaheer 3/54, Mishra 3/66) and 301 (Rahim 101, Tamim 52; Mishra 4/92, Ishant 3/48). India won by 113 runs.
