Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah delivered a masterclass in bowling as India cruised to a commanding seven-wicket win against Bangladesh in the second Test, clinching a record-extending 18th consecutive series win at home. Despite losing more than 200 overs to rain, India showcased their dominance, with standout performances from both bat and ball, securing their spot at the top of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) table with 74.24 percentage points.
Ashwin, Jadeja, and Bumrah Shine with the Ball
On the final day, Bangladesh resumed at 26 for two, needing a resolute fightback to salvage a draw, but their hopes were quickly dashed. Ashwin (3/50), Jadeja (3/34), and Bumrah (3/17) combined to wreak havoc, bowling out the visitors for 146. The Indian spinners led the attack, with Ashwin striking early to remove first-innings centurion Mominul Haque, while Jadeja ripped through the middle order. Bumrah closed out the innings with three wickets, putting the final nail in Bangladesh’s coffin.
India Chase Down Target with Ease
Needing just 95 runs to win, India chased down the target in 17.2 overs despite losing openers Rohit Sharma (8) and Shubman Gill (6) to off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Player of the Match Yashasvi Jaiswal continued his fine form, scoring a second consecutive fifty (51), while Virat Kohli contributed an unbeaten 29 to seal the victory. Jaiswal and Kohli shared a crucial 58-run partnership for the third wicket, guiding India to a comfortable win.
Shadman Islam’s Fighting Fifty in Vain
For Bangladesh, opener Shadman Islam was one of the few bright spots, scoring a gritty 50 off 101 balls with 10 boundaries. Shadman’s partnership with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (19) offered some resistance, but Shanto’s reckless reverse sweep off Jadeja opened the floodgates. Bangladesh’s middle order collapsed soon after, with Litton Das (1) and Shakib Al Hasan (0) falling cheaply to Jadeja, leaving the visitors with little chance of recovery.
Bangladesh’s Batting Collapse
Shadman’s dismissal, caught at gully by Jaiswal off pacer Akash, marked the beginning of the end for Bangladesh. Jadeja’s brilliance with the ball proved too much for the Bangladeshi middle order, as Shanto, Das, and Shakib fell in quick succession. Shakib’s dismissal, a soft return catch to Jadeja, could be a disappointing end to his Test career, as the Bangladesh skipper failed to make an impact in what might have been his final innings.
Bumrah continued the demolition, dismissing Mehidy Hasan Miraz (9) and Taijul Islam (0), before cleaning up the resilient Mushfiqur Rahim (37) to end Bangladesh’s innings. Rahim had offered brief resistance, but his wicket sealed Bangladesh’s fate.
India’s Dominance in Home Conditions
This victory not only highlights India’s superiority over Bangladesh in Test cricket but also speaks volumes of the team’s strength in home conditions. India managed to win the match in just six sessions, despite losing two full days to rain, emphasizing the vast gulf between the two sides. Bangladesh, despite Shadman’s and Rahim’s efforts, couldn’t handle the relentless pressure applied by India’s world-class bowling attack.
What’s Next for India?
India’s win in the second Test consolidated their position at the top of the WTC standings and extended their unbeaten streak against Bangladesh in Test cricket. With key players like Ashwin, Jadeja, and Bumrah firing on all cylinders, India looks set for further success in the remainder of the WTC cycle. As for Bangladesh, the team will need to regroup and address their batting vulnerabilities to compete at the highest level.
