In a dramatic start to the first Test match between India and Bangladesh on September 19, Hasan Mahmud’s explosive bowling dismantled India’s top order, sending shockwaves through the team. After winning the toss, Bangladesh opted to bowl first, and Mahmud’s pace proved devastating, leaving India in dire straits at 34/3 early in their innings.
Early Breakthroughs
The tension in Chennai escalated quickly as Mahmud struck gold in the 6th over. Indian captain Rohit Sharma, attempting to anchor the innings, was dismissed for just 6 runs off 19 balls. A well-pitched delivery from Mahmud edged off Rohit’s bat, landing safely in the hands of Najmul Hossain Shanto at second slip, leaving India at a precarious 14/1.
Shubman Gill followed soon after, scoring a mere 0 runs from 8 balls. In another impressive display of bowling, Mahmud’s delivery coaxed a faint edge from Gill as he attempted to flick a ball down the leg side. Liton Das made no mistake, swiftly taking the catch and leaving India struggling at 28/2.
As if that weren’t enough, Mahmud turned his attention to Virat Kohli, who entered the crease hoping to stabilize the innings. However, Kohli couldn’t resist Mahmud’s allure, driving a ball that edged to Liton Das once again. Kohli’s dismissal for 6 runs off just 6 balls left India reeling at 34/3 within the first 10 overs, marking a catastrophic start for the home side.
India Faces Uphill Battle
With three of their key batsmen back in the pavilion, India faced a daunting task to recover against a relentless Bangladesh bowling attack. Yashasvi Jaiswal, currently at the crease, scored 20 runs off 37 balls, trying to lay a foundation for a comeback. Rishabh Pant, making his return to Test cricket after a long absence, was also in the middle, having scored 8 runs off 11 balls. The pair would need to form a strong partnership to lift India out of this precarious position.
Social Media Reaction
As India struggled, social media erupted with memes and reactions to the top-order collapse. Fans and cricket enthusiasts took to Twitter to share their thoughts and humor, reflecting the disappointment and disbelief felt across the cricketing community. For a glimpse into the meme fest, check out this
With Hasan Mahmud leading the charge, Bangladesh’s bowling attack has set the tone for the match, putting India on the back foot early. As the first Test unfolds, all eyes will be on Jaiswal and Pant to see if they can mount a formidable recovery. The cricketing world eagerly anticipates how this battle will develop, as India looks to regain its footing in challenging conditions.
