In the opening Test of the India vs Bangladesh 2024 series, KL Rahul made a brief but cautious return to India’s red-ball squad at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. However, his patient 52-ball innings ended when a brilliant catch by Zakir Hasan at short leg sent him back to the pavilion for 16 runs, leaving India in a precarious position.
KL Rahul’s Struggle to Settle at the Crease
KL Rahul, coming off an injury, was playing his first Test match in months. He had missed the majority of India’s previous series against England and returned to the playing XI over Sarfaraz Khan. Batting at No. 6 after the dismissal of Rishabh Pant soon after lunch, Rahul came in under immense pressure with Bangladesh’s bowlers already making inroads.
Rahul took a highly cautious approach, managing only one run off his first 15 deliveries. Facing a testing spell by fast bowlers Nahid Rana and Hasan Mahmud, he found it difficult to get going. His slow start added pressure as India’s middle and lower orders were exposed to a disciplined Bangladesh attack.
Bangladesh’s Bowling Duo Dominate India’s Middle Order
The partnership between Nahid Rana and Hasan Mahmud proved instrumental in keeping India’s scoring in check. While Mahmud had already claimed four wickets with his relentless pace, Rana added to Bangladesh’s success by dismissing the well-set Yashasvi Jaiswal for 74. Jaiswal had been the key man holding India’s innings together, and his wicket left the team vulnerable at 141-5.
With the set batter back in the dressing room, Rahul faced added responsibility to lead the recovery. However, only three deliveries later, he was dismissed in dramatic fashion.
Zakir Hasan’s Spectacular Catch at Short Leg
Rahul’s dismissal came off the bowling of spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Attempting to fend off a turning delivery with soft hands, Rahul failed to keep the ball down. Positioned at short leg, Zakir Hasan showcased sharp reflexes, swiftly moving to his right to grab the catch. The dismissal tilted the match further in Bangladesh’s favor, as it reduced India to 144-6.
Zakir Hasan’s quick reactions and agility underlined the quality of Bangladesh’s fielding effort, especially at a crucial juncture of the game when Rahul seemed to be settling in.
Rahul’s Recent Form and Comeback in Duleep Trophy
Prior to this Test match, Rahul had shown decent form in the Duleep Trophy. Representing India A, he scored 37 and 57 in the two innings of their clash against India B at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. His performance in that game gave him the nod for a place in India’s Test squad, where he made the playing XI over Sarfaraz Khan.
However, Rahul’s return to international Test cricket was far from smooth. His inability to convert his patient start into a significant score raised questions about his match readiness at this level.
India’s Batting Woes: Dependence on the Tail-End
Following the back-to-back dismissals of Jaiswal and Rahul, India found themselves in trouble with a score of 144-6. With the ball’s shine fading and Bangladesh’s spinners coming into play, the pressure increased on India’s lower order. The all-rounder duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja were left to assess the situation and push India towards a competitive first-innings total.
At the time of Rahul’s dismissal, India’s chances of posting a solid total were diminishing, and they relied heavily on the experience of Ashwin and Jadeja to guide them through a challenging phase.
What Lies Ahead for India in the First Test
As the Test match progresses, India will need its tail-end batters to step up and support Ashwin and Jadeja. Bangladesh’s bowling attack, led by Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana, has already caused considerable damage, and spinners like Mehidy Hasan Miraz are beginning to exploit the conditions in Chennai.
The Indian team will need to regroup quickly and aim to post a total that their bowlers can defend. For KL Rahul, this innings marks another missed opportunity in his Test career, where inconsistency continues to be a concern.
Bangladesh in the Driver’s Seat
With India six wickets down, Bangladesh has taken control of the match. Their bowlers have made the most of the conditions, and with the spinners coming into play, they will look to wrap up India’s innings quickly. Zakir Hasan’s sharp catch to dismiss Rahul was a significant moment in the game, further boosting Bangladesh’s morale.
For now, all eyes will be on how the remaining Indian batters handle the relentless pressure from Bangladesh as they seek to build a respectable total.
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