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IND vs BAN: India head coach Gautam Gambhir expressed the frustration felt by countless cricket fans when Rishabh Pant was dismissed early in the second session of the first Test against Bangladesh at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. After a promising start Pant. who had been leading India fightback following early wickets threw away his wicket for 39 just after the lunch break.
Pant looked in complete control playing at his own pace even as Bangladesh bowlers sought to assert their dominance. He showcased his attacking style with an authoritative cut shot against Hasan Mahmud, the most successful Bangladeshi pacer on Day 1 earning a boundary in the third over of the session. on the very next ball he carelessly edged a loose shot outside off-stump allowing wicketkeeper Litton Das to take an easy catch.
Frustration was evident on Pant face as he slammed his bat against his pads while walking back to the dressing room. He missed a golden opportunity to build on his solid start specially given this was his return to Test cricket after 632 days. Watching from the sidelines Gambhir felt the weight of Pant dismissal knowing how it could impact Bangladesh confidence in the second session.
Despite Pant departure India had fared better than they had at the end of the first hour standing at 96 for 4. Initially they had struggled against Hasan Mahmud. who was relentless in his accuracy and movement in overcast conditions after Bangladesh opted to field first. Mahmud produced a near-unplayable delivery to dismiss.
Rohit Sharma while Shubman Gill was caught down the leg side for a duck. Virat Kohli making his return to Test cricket after missing the England series fell for just six runs falling to an expansive drive on a delivery bowled in the fourth stump line by Mahmud. With his impressive bowling Hasan was on the verge of becoming the first Bangladeshi bowler to achieve a five-wicket haul in a Test match in India.
Gautam Gambhir Shakes His Head After Rishabh Pant Dismissal
The Rohit Sharma-led Indian team concluded the first session at 88/3 after 23 overs. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant began the second session together but Bangladesh quickly broke their partnership. Hasan Mahmud claimed Pant wicket marking his fourth of the match. The left-handed batter edged a short delivery to wicketkeeper Litton Das who took an easy catch.
Frustrated with his shot selection Pant slammed his bat against his pad as he made his way back to the dressing room, a moment that also elicited disappointment from head coach Gautam Gambhir. Pant had just hit a boundary off the ball before his dismissal expertly cutting a short delivery wide of point. he appeared less confident when playing the shot that ultimately led to his wicket against Mahmud.
IND vs BAN: Gautam Gambhir wants Team India to adopt one style of playing
Head coach Gautam Gambhir emphasizes the importance of flexibility in strategy for the Indian cricket team urging players to avoid a one-dimensional approach that can hinder their development. Taking over from Rahul Dravid during a transitional phase for the team Gambhir advocates for a results-oriented mindset. I believe the most effective style is one that win the Gambhir stated at a pre-match press conference. He highlighted the need for the team to adapt quickly to different situations rather than committing to a single playing style. If you limit yourself to one approach you stifle growth,” he added.
Gambhir encourages his players to be proactive adapting to the conditions and situations they face on the field. He believes that labeling a particular style can restrict a team ability to evolve. It’s all about achieving results and giving your best style is the one that works. he concluded reinforcing his commitment to fostering a dynamic and responsive team environment.
Gambhir plays down pitch talk
Gautam Gambhir has consistently championed the importance of leveraging home conditions in cricket reiterating that India advantage should not be scrutinized more than that of other cricketing nations. He pointed out the double standards in how performances are viewed based on location. When teams travel to places like Australia, England or South Africa Test matches often finish in two and a half days without much discussion Gambhir noted. when the opposition comes to India and a match concludes quickly the conversation shifts to claims of excessive assistance for spinners.
Gambhir highlighted the difficulty of guaranteeing the duration of a Test match based on pitch preparation. It’s unrealistic to expect a pitch that ensures a five-day match,” he argued. He pointed out that when fast bowlers receive help the discussion is often muted which he feels is unfair. The former opener emphasized that the skill level of players to adapt to various conditions is more crucial than the pitch itself. To have a good Test match players must demonstrate quality by successfully facing both spin on turning tracks and fast bowling on greener surfaces.
Gambhir believes the focus should shift from blaming pitch conditions to improving the skills of the opposition. Rather than advocating for changes to the pitch teams should learn how to handle spinners better. This debate should move forward,” he concluded underscoring the need for players to adapt and grow in the face of varying challenges.
Who is Hasan Mahmud? Young Bangladesh pacer torments India in Chennai Test
On Day 1 of the first Test at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai Bangladesh dominated India, claiming three wickets in the first hour of play on a cloudy morning. Hasan Mahmud emerged as the standout performer taking all three wickets and sending Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill back to the pavilion.
Mahmud made an immediate impact, dismissing Indian captain Rohit Sharma in his third over with a delivery that edged to second slip. In his next over he trapped Gill down the leg side securing another crucial wicket. The 24-year-old then claimed the prized scalp of Virat Kohli who edged a wide delivery to Litton Das in the slips.
By the end of his first spell Mahmud had impressive figures of 3/14 in just seven overs. Coming into this match fresh from a strong performance against Pakistan. where he took eight wickets across two Tests at an average of 24.12, Mahmud early success set the tone for Bangladesh bowling attack.
Hasan Mahmud career so far
Mahmud made his international debut way back in 2020 in T20Is but his Test debut earlier this year against Sri Lanka. The 24-year-old bowled an impressive spell of 4/65 in the second innings and took a total of six wickets on his Test debut. The right-arm seamer is one of the rising stars from his country with his ability to bowl fast and sticking to a particular line and length. The world took notice of Mahmud impressive talent in the U-19 World Cup 2019 where he scalped nine wickets from six matches at an average of 19.33.
He further impressed with his performances in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) before finally making his T20I debut vs Zimbabwe in March 2020. He has scalped 18 wickets from as many games in T20Is and 30 wickets from 22 ODIs. Mahmud has already made a remarkable start to his career and will be eager to continue troubling Indian batters in the ongoing series.
IND vs BAN: Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant Poke Fun at Kuldeep Yadav
Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant are known for their entertaining antics on the cricket field and ahead of the first Test between India and Bangladesh in Chennai, the duo decided to have some fun at the expense of Kuldeep Yadav. During a warm-up session at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium Kohli and Pant teamed up to drag Kuldeep along the ground using training equipment with Kohli holding his arms and Pant grabbing his legs. The three were all laughs before getting back to their warm-ups.
Kohli was particularly in high spirits juggling a football and even showcasing some casual dance moves. A fan captured all of this lively action in a video from the stands just before the toss. When the match began Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto chose to bowl first a decision that quickly paid off as India lost three wickets in the first session. Rohit Sharma was the first to go scoring just six runs, followed by Shubman Gill.
who was dismissed softly by Hasan Mahmud. Kohli soon followed suit falling for another low score at six runs leaving India in a precarious position at 34/3. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant then partnered up, working to stabilize the innings. The two left-handed batters began to take the fight to the Bangladeshi bowlers, showing their intent and determination to turn the game around.
