In a gripping display of resilience, India stood at 339 for 6 against Bangladesh, with Ashwin and Jadeja showcasing their prowess in a remarkable 195-run partnership. This remarkable feat highlighted India's depth in the lower-middle order, a consistent strength during their dominant era. The day saw Ashwin, on the cusp of 38, notching his sixth Test hundred in a spectacular fashion that left the crowd in awe of his rasping shots.
His partner in supremacy, Jadeja, stood strong at 86 not out, adding to the opposition's woes. Bangladesh's strategy to bowl first on a slightly green, damp pitch in Chennai sparked a fresh challenge for the hosts. Hasan Mahmud's precision with the ball troubled India initially, causing a wobble in their top order.
Resilient partnerships from Jaiswal, Pant, and later Ashwin and Jadeja, helped India steer back from a precarious position. The spinners struggled to provide control for Bangladesh, enabling India to regain dominance with a resilient lower-order stand.The partnership between Ashwin and Jadeja was a masterclass in batting finesse, with Ashwin's aggression complementing Jadeja's steady approach.
Ashwin's century in just 108 balls was a standout moment, met with thunderous applause from the local crowd. As day one concluded, India's lower-middle order heroics set the stage for an intriguing day two battle against Bangladesh, hinting at more fireworks to come.