On a gloomy day with clouds swirling over Chennai, Hasan Mahmud smashed the Indian batsmen to the dumps, taking three precious wickets and leaving India staring down the barrel at 34/3. Bangladesh’s 24-year-old pacer Hasan Mahmud produced a match-winning performance to stun India on the first day of the much-hyped first Test at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
Mahmud’s aggressive spell began with the dismissal of Indian captain Rohit Sharma for just six runs. His cunning strategies along with the movement both ways saw Sharma edge the ball to the slips. Mahmud continued his attacking, and after this breakthrough, he sent back Shubman Gill for a duck. The young Indian star was caught by wicket-keeper Litton Das.
The high point of Mahmud’s over was when he sent back Virat Kohli. What had been expected to steady the innings in this former Indian captain went for a perfect outswinger from Mahmud. Kohli’s edge had gone to the slips, taking Mahmud’s count too.
Mahmud went on to cement his position as Bangladesh’s top pacer in Test cricket. Having made his debut in March 2020, Mahmud has played most of his cricket in the limited-over format but was an important addition in his last appearances for the Test team. His skill, especially in exploiting conditions and taking crucial wickets, bears testament to his growing stature in international cricket.
Deciding to bat first, Bangladesh, led by skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto, has held rich dividends as of now as Mahmud’s early strikes haven’t only put India on the back foot but also highlighted the emerging prowess of Bangladesh’s pace attack. This young man who averaged 25 in his last three Test matches will be a positive addition to Bangladesh’s fast-bowling unit going forward.
And for Bangladesh, Mahmud is not going to help them much if he fails to stick around and continue taking wickets. They have got an impact through him on Day 1 and if he continues this bowling, he could be in Bangladesh’s Test setup as someone influencing matches as a fast bowler.
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