A funny exchange between Virat Kohli and Shakib Al Hasan went viral on social media during the second day of the first Test match between India and Bangladesh in Chennai. Kohli came out to bat after India lost two quick wickets in their second innings and looked in fine form before being dropped by Mehidy Hasan Miraz. During his time at the crease, the stump microphone picked up Kohli jokingly calling Shakib ‘Malinga’ after the Bangladesh bowler bowled a series of yorkers. The funny reference was a nod to legendary Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga.
After India bowled out Bangladesh for just 149, thanks in part to their lower order, the hosts had posted 376 in their first innings, extending their lead to 308 and proving their dominance over the visitors on Day 2 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Virat Kohli has turned into Shakib Malinga, yorker after yorker goes by. photo.twitter.com/Ny1S6xUmkbVahini (@fairytaledustt_) September 20, 2024
Bangladesh spinner Taskin Ahmed on Friday admitted that losing too many wickets in the first 10 overs of their first innings against “world-class” Indian bowlers has put his team at a disadvantage in the opening Test against India. In reply to India’s first-innings total of 376, Bangladesh were bowled out for 149 in 47.1 overs on the second day, with Shakib Al Hasan (32) their top scorer. They lost three wickets in the first 10 overs and scored 27 runs.
“Overall, our batting was a bit disappointing. Yes, there is some help for the fast bowlers, but still, we could have done a lot better than that. So yes, we are disappointed,” Ahmed said at the post-match press conference.
“We also lost too many wickets in the first 10 (overs), which cost us the game.” (Virat Kohli’s DRS blunder: Rohit Sharma and umpire’s reaction during IND vs BAN first Test goes viral, see footage)
India scored 81 for 3 in their second innings at stumps for an overall lead of 308 runs. Ahmed, who took three wickets in India’s first innings and one in the second, also felt that his team’s lesser experience in playing with the SG balls did not help their cause either. The Bangladesh players are used to playing with the Kookaburra balls that have a flatter seam compared to the SG ones.
“Also, playing with the SG ball is a challenge. Indians have been playing with this ball since childhood, so they know how to use it properly, which gives them a huge advantage,” said the 29-year-old right-arm spinner.
“We also made some mistakes with the new ball. What I felt about the SG ball and this condition is that there were some challenges, especially during the first 10-12 overs. India is a formidable team against any opponent at home. And everyone is trying to make the most of the home advantage, the same as we will do when we play at home soon.”
As far as bowling goes, he said his team played well overall. (IND vs BAN: Virat Kohli equals Sachin Tendulkar in international record)
“Yes, we started well yesterday and at the end of the day, (Ravichandran) Ashwin and (Ravindra) Jadeja batted well. Also, this morning we had a good session and then we finished them all off for 37 runs by taking four more wickets. So, overall, we bowled well. There was more help yesterday than today.”
Ahmed credited the Indian bowlers for their consistent line and length. (Rishabh Pant’s apologetic gesture towards angry Mohammed Siraj after DRS error; video goes viral: watch it)
“They are all world class, no doubt. They were more consistent with their line and lengths, and there was a lot of variation in the Indian bowling attack,” he said.
On his historic win in Pakistan, Ahmed said: “Generally, we play good cricket in Pakistan, and Test cricket is something you have to do well in every session. But the conditions are different here.”
Ahmed said his team is still a work in progress.
“We (all in the team) are concerned about this and we are working on it. We all have strengths and weaknesses but there is no limit to improvement. While we are trying to improve by giving our best, at the end of the day, it all comes down to how we execute our plans,” he concluded. (With inputs from PTI)
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