Pujara, Shreyas partnership help India post 278/6 at stumps on Day 1| BANvIND

Xtra Time Web Desk: Cheteshwar Pujara (90) and Shreyas Iyer (82*) were involved in a crucial 149 runs partnership as India posted 278/6 batting first at stumps on Day 1 of the first test at Zahur Ahmed Chaudhury Stadium in Chittagong. For Bangladesh, Taijul Islam was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets for 84 runs in 30 overs,

The partnership between Pujara and Iyer looked threatening for the hosts before they pulled back in the final session. Having started the post-Tea session at 174-4, Shreyas and Pujara took the total to 261 runs before the latter was castled by Taijul Islam for 90 runs.

Mehedi Hasan Miraz had Axar Patel leg-before on the final delivery of the day.

Things could’ve got much better for the hosts had they been sharper in fielding as wicket-keeper Nurul Hasan Sohan dropped Pujara after lunch on 12 off Ebadot, and the fast-bowler later failed to grasp the easiest of catches at deep mid-wicket to give Shreyas a reprieve on 66.

Earlier in the day, KL Rahul dragged a Khaled Ahmed delivery onto his stumps after making 22. Shubman Gill attempted a paddle sweep but could only manage a top edge which flew to Yasir Ali at leg slip. Taijul got the big wicket of Kohli, getting him leg-before for 1 run to see India struggling at 48/3.

Rishabh Pant walking in at No 5 launched a counter-attack, hitting six fours and two sixes to put India back in the driving seat after being 48-3.