In the first Test between India and Bangladesh, Kuldeep not only excelled with the ball but also scored 40 runs with the bat, allowing India to surpass the 400-run mark.
Kuldeep Yadav has been instrumental in India taking the lead in the first Test against Bangladesh, which is now taking place at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram. After a 22-month absence from the Test cricket scene, the Indian spinner returned with career-best numbers of 5/40. Bangladesh was bowled out for a paltry 150 runs after Kuldeep got four wickets on Day 2 and one more on Day 3. Kuldeep was the star of the show with the ball, but he also chipped in with the bat, scoring 40 runs to push India above the 400-run mark in the first innings.
Kuldeep’s performance here is the best by any Indian spinner in Bangladesh, and it surpasses the efforts of both all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin (5/87) and former India spinner Anil Kumble (4/55). Previously, Kuldeep has taken five wickets in a Test match against Australia and the West Indies.
On the third day of the series opener in Chattogram, India set Bangladesh a challenging win goal of 513 runs, with both Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara scoring centuries after long droughts.
India bowled out Bangladesh for 150 in 55.5 overs thanks to Kuldeep Yadav’s career-high 5 for 40. Bangladesh was well outplayed for the second day in a row.
Gill (110) and Pujara (102 not out) took full advantage of a feeble Bangladesh attack that was also missing its main bowler Ebadot Hossain due to a back ailment, and India’s skipper KL Rahul decided against enforcing the follow-on with nearly three days to spare and a lead of 254.
After Pujara completed his quickest Test century, captain Rahul declared the Indian second innings over at 258 for 2.
Bangladesh was at 42 without loss at stumps on a pitch where many balls were keeping low but where wear and tear were minimal. They need 471 more runs to beat the opposition on home soil.
