Indian batsmen pulverised the Bangladesh attack on day one of the one-off Test match at the Uppal stadium today. Bangladesh got rid off inform K Rahul in the very first over and then had to wait for a long time with Murali Vijay and Chetashwara Pujara hammering the Bangladesh bowlers to all parts of the ground. Rahul played a loose shot without any footwork and played on.
Vijay and Pujara were also lucky not to be dismissed early in their innings. But capitalised on the chances they got to entertain the crowd with some brilliant strokeplay later. Both pulled, hooked and drove superbly, putting on 178 runs for the second wicket. Pujara on way to his 83 also broke the record for most runs in an Indian first-class season. He surpassed Chandu Borde’s tally of 1604 which he had made way back in 1964-65. He was dismissed by Mehedi in the end, giving a catch to wicket-keeper.
Then came the captain the present superman of Indian cricket Virat Kohli and stamped his class with a couple of boundaries soon. After Vijay got for a magnificent 108 Kohli cut lose and the Bangla bowlers had no answer to his wonderful batting skills. He attacked Kamrul Rabbi, Mehendi and Shakib, scoring runs at will, while Rahane who was preferred to the triple centurion against England Nair was a silent spectator. But he rotated the strike well, giving Kohli nice company as the crowd enjoyed every bit of it.
With both being unseperated India look like posting a huge first innings total as they are already 356 for three.
Bangladesh will have to work hard tomorrow to restrict India below 500 runs, which doe not look possible at the moment as the wicket is playing nicely. Big crowds are expected tomorrow to enjoy Kohli’s batting.
By Sudheer Mahavadi – DD Commentator
