Within the opening Take a look at of the India vs Bangladesh 2024 sequence, KL Rahul made a short however cautious return to India’s red-ball squad on the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Nevertheless, his affected person 52-ball innings ended when an excellent catch by Zakir Hasan at quick leg despatched him again to the pavilion for 16 runs, leaving India in a precarious place.
KL Rahul’s Wrestle to Settle on the Crease
KL Rahul, coming off an damage, was taking part in his first Take a look at match in months. He had missed nearly all of India’s earlier sequence in opposition to England and returned to the taking part in XI over Sarfaraz Khan. Batting at No. 6 after the dismissal of Rishabh Pant quickly after lunch, Rahul got here in below immense stress with Bangladesh’s bowlers already making inroads.
Rahul took a extremely cautious method, managing just one run off his first 15 deliveries. Going through a testing spell by quick bowlers Nahid Rana and Hasan Mahmud, he discovered it tough to get going. His sluggish begin added stress as India’s center and decrease orders had been uncovered to a disciplined Bangladesh assault.
Bangladesh’s Bowling Duo Dominate India’s Center Order
The partnership between Nahid Rana and Hasan Mahmud proved instrumental in holding India’s scoring in examine. Whereas Mahmud had already claimed 4 wickets along with his relentless tempo, Rana added to Bangladesh’s success by dismissing the well-set Yashasvi Jaiswal for 74. Jaiswal had been the important thing man holding India’s innings collectively, and his wicket left the crew weak at 141-5.
With the set batter again within the dressing room, Rahul confronted added duty to guide the restoration. Nevertheless, solely three deliveries later, he was dismissed in dramatic vogue.
Zakir Hasan’s Spectacular Catch at Quick Leg
Rahul’s dismissal got here off the bowling of spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Making an attempt to fend off a turning supply with mushy palms, Rahul did not hold the ball down. Positioned at quick leg, Zakir Hasan showcased sharp reflexes, swiftly shifting to his proper to seize the catch. The dismissal tilted the match additional in Bangladesh’s favor, because it lowered India to 144-6.
Zakir Hasan’s fast reactions and agility underlined the standard of Bangladesh’s fielding effort, particularly at an important juncture of the sport when Rahul gave the impression to be settling in.
Rahul’s Latest Type and Comeback in Duleep Trophy
Previous to this Take a look at match, Rahul had proven first rate type within the Duleep Trophy. Representing India A, he scored 37 and 57 within the two innings of their conflict in opposition to India B on the Chinnaswamy Stadium. His efficiency in that recreation gave him the nod for a spot in India’s Take a look at squad, the place he made the taking part in XI over Sarfaraz Khan.
Nevertheless, Rahul’s return to worldwide Take a look at cricket was removed from easy. His incapacity to transform his affected person begin into a major rating raised questions on his match readiness at this stage.
India’s Batting Woes: Dependence on the Tail-Finish
Following the back-to-back dismissals of Jaiswal and Rahul, India discovered themselves in hassle with a rating of 144-6. With the ball’s shine fading and Bangladesh’s spinners coming into play, the stress elevated on India’s decrease order. The all-rounder duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja had been left to evaluate the scenario and push India in direction of a aggressive first-innings whole.
On the time of Rahul’s dismissal, India’s probabilities of posting a stable whole had been diminishing, they usually relied closely on the expertise of Ashwin and Jadeja to information them by way of a difficult part.
What Lies Forward for India within the First Take a look at
Because the Take a look at match progresses, India will want its tail-end batters to step up and assist Ashwin and Jadeja. Bangladesh’s bowling assault, led by Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana, has already induced appreciable injury, and spinners like Mehidy Hasan Miraz are starting to use the circumstances in Chennai.
The Indian crew might want to regroup shortly and purpose to submit a complete that their bowlers can defend. For KL Rahul, this innings marks one other missed alternative in his Take a look at profession, the place inconsistency continues to be a priority.
Bangladesh within the Driver’s Seat
With India six wickets down, Bangladesh has taken management of the match. Their bowlers have made the many of the circumstances, and with the spinners coming into play, they’ll look to wrap up India’s innings shortly. Zakir Hasan’s sharp catch to dismiss Rahul was a major second within the recreation, additional boosting Bangladesh’s morale.
For now, all eyes will likely be on how the remaining Indian batters deal with the relentless stress from Bangladesh as they search to construct a good whole.
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