In a riveting day of Test cricket in India, the spotlight shone brightly on the local heroes, R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, as they orchestrated a remarkable recovery for their team. India ended the day at 339 for 6, bolstered by Ashwin’s unbeaten 102 off 108 balls and Jadeja’s steadfast 86 not out. The duo’s partnership of 195 runs for the seventh wicket came after the team had found itself in a precarious position at 144 for 6.

The day began under overcast skies, with Bangladesh making a bold decision to bowl first — a choice not seen in a Test involving India on Indian soil for the last seven years. This decision was backed by the conditions, as the pitch, unusually green and damp, seemed conducive to seam bowling, a situation further intensified by the week’s record-breaking temperatures in Chennai.

Bangladesh’s Hasan Mahmud capitalized on these conditions, delivering a seam-bowling masterclass that left the Indian top order in disarray. Mahmud’s figures of 4 for 58 were pivotal in reducing India to 34 for 3 at one stage. Despite a brief recovery led by Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored 56, and Rishabh Pant, India seemed to falter with quick wickets falling post-lunch.

However, the entrance of Ashwin, greeted by roaring cheers from his home crowd, marked a turning point. Displaying a blend of aggression and finesse, Ashwin took the attack to the bowlers, particularly exploiting the pace of tearaway Nahid Rana. Jadeja, on the other hand, supported with a more measured approach, gradually building his innings and capitalizing on scoring opportunities.

The partnership not only stabilized the Indian innings but also exposed the lack of depth in Bangladesh’s bowling attack. While Mahmud was exceptional in the first session, the spinners, led by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, struggled to exert control, allowing India to dominate the latter part of the day.

The crescendo of the day’s play came minutes before stumps when Ashwin reached his hundred, a moment that electrified the stadium and underscored the dominance of India’s lower order once again. Jadeja, too, edged closer to his century, ending the day with shots that emphasized that the duo’s work was far from over.

This performance by Ashwin and Jadeja not only salvaged India’s innings but also placed them in a position of strength, reminding everyone of their critical value in the team’s setup. As the match progresses, Bangladesh will have the challenging task of dismantling this partnership and finding a way to counteract India’s lower order, which has repeatedly proven its capability to turn games around.