Team India's return to Test cricket got off to a rocky start on the first day of the opening Test against Bangladesh in Chennai. Facing an unusually pace-friendly pitch at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, India’s renowned batting line-up was rattled by the disciplined bowling of 24-year-old Hasan Mahmud. The young Bangladesh pacer, playing just his fourth Test, dismantled the top-order by dismissing captain Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli before lunch, leaving India struggling on Day 1.

Mahmud strikes early: Rohit and Gill fall cheaply

Under overcast skies, Bangladesh won the toss and sent India in to bat on a pitch that offered early movement to the pacers. Hasan Mahmud, alongside Taskin Ahmed, utilized the conditions perfectly, with Mahmud keeping a tight off-stump line that troubled the Indian batters. In the sixth over, he made the first breakthrough by dismissing Rohit Sharma, who edged a tentative poke to slip, where Najmul Hossain Shanto took a sharp catch. Rohit’s early dismissal for 6 put India on the back foot.

Things went from bad to worse when Shubman Gill, struggling to find form, was dismissed without scoring. Attempting to work a leg-side delivery down to fine leg, Gill feathered an edge to wicketkeeper Litton Das, who took an athletic catch. With both openers back in the pavilion early, India was under immense pressure.

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Virat Kohli falls to familiar weakness

Virat Kohli, returning to the Test side for the first time since 2023, showed early promise with some authoritative shots. His elegant flicks on the leg side seemed to suggest that he was ready to take control of the innings. However, Kohli’s well-known weakness outside the off-stump once again proved costly. Mahmud, sticking to his disciplined off-stump line, tempted Kohli into playing a cover drive. The Indian star edged the ball to Litton Das, who claimed his second catch, leaving India reeling at 3 wickets down before lunch.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have coincidentally scored identical runs in Test cricket on just two occasions. The first instance was during the Delhi Test against Sri Lanka in 2017, where both players scored 50 runs. The second occurred in the Chennai Test against Bangladesh in 2024, where both were dismissed for just 6 runs. Despite their contrasting careers, these rare moments showcase an unusual alignment in their performances.

With three key batters dismissed in the first session, India faces an uphill battle to recover from this precarious situation. Bangladesh, carrying momentum from their recent historic 2-0 Test series win in Pakistan, look poised to capitalize on India’s struggles and make a strong statement in the opening Test.

"You jump, I jump."

Ahhh the bromance of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. #ViratKohli #RohitSharma pic.twitter.com/FNatayJXwQ

— Ministry Of Sarcasm (@M_OfSarcasm) September 19, 2024

Prince Gill gone for Duck followed by King Kohli who gone for 6(6) and all this against mighty Bangladesh 🫡🔥 pic.twitter.com/lNPoKrB6Gy

— TukTuk Academy (@TukTuk_Academy) September 19, 2024

And Kohli perishes while showing the intent 🥰, nvm king you played selflessly pic.twitter.com/sCLJ4MqlBd

— Pushkar (@musafir_hu_yar) September 19, 2024

Skipping sa and NZ tours has convinced PPL that Rohit is some good all conditions opener

— Pricviz (@Pric_viz_) September 19, 2024

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have scored identical runs in Test cricket only twice:

Both 50 vs Sri Lanka, Delhi 2017
Both 6 vs Bangladesh, Chennai 2024 pic.twitter.com/hSTOwCNijz

— Johns (@JohnyBravo183) September 19, 2024