Yashasvi Jaiswal’s challenge to Bangladesh: India not afraid of Hasan Mahmud despite Kohli, Rohit, Pant wickets

Nothing better than watching an attacking batter up against a quality fast bowler in Test cricket. It is entertainment guaranteed. And so it was when India batters Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant squared off against Bangladesh pacer Hasan Mahmud in the first Test in Chennai. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s challenge to Bangladesh: India not afraid of Hasan Mahmud despite Kohli, Rohit, Pant wickets(PTI)

After Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bowl, Hasan Mahmud took the onus on himself to give a hard time to the Indian batters. He dismissed India captain Rohit Sharma, No.3 Shubman Gill Virat Kohli in his first spell to push India into a spot of bother.

While all this was happening, Jaiswal stood firm at the other end, handling everything thrown at him. Jaiswal's half-century and his 62-run partnership with fellow left-hander Rishabh Pant helped India avoid a total collapse on the first day of the opening Test after getting reduced to 34 for three inside the first 10 overs.

The 22-year-old said he and Pant were waiting for loose balls to score runs as the Bangladesh bowlers were having an upper hand at that juncture.

"I think the wicket was a bit helpful initially and if you look at the weather, it was a bit cloudy. But we were trying to go through that period by playing safe."

Jaiswal said Hasan Mahmud, who grabbed four wickets, stuck to good lines and they were trying to use feet well against the pacer.

"I think he definitely bowled well but, at times, he also gave loose balls on which we scored runs. We were just talking about how we can use our feet. We were trying to see if there is a loose ball to score runs and was looking to make a partnership and play as long as we can," he said.

Scoring in tough conditions will make me strong: Jaiswal

"It was amazing to go out there and play in these conditions. It will make me strong and I will learn from it as to how to play in all these conditions and how to plan my innings," Jaiswal told reporters in the post-day press meet.

"I try to bat according to the requirements of my team and keep changing my game accordingly. If the wicket falls initially, how can I bat? When the runs are coming, how can I bat?" he added.

Jaiswal conceded that there was some help for the bowlers in the first couple of sessions, warranting a cautious approach from the Indian batters.

"Initially, I think the ball was moving a bit and seaming a bit and the wicket was a bit down. So, we took our time. But if you see in the last session, we scored quite well and I think we are in a good position at the moment."

Thanks to a record 195-run unbroken partnership between Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, India ended Day 1 on a real high. They recovered from 144/6 to reach 339/6 at stumps with Ashwin (102*) and Jadeja (86*) standing tall.

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