India vs Bangladesh 2019: India cement strong position on historic day

Indian cricket finally embraced the pink revolution in their maiden day-nighter at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. And the jam-packed stadium seemed to validate the objective of reviving public interest in the longest version of the game.

Several dignitaries and cricketing legends flocked to witness the spectacle unfold, and pink fever briskly engulfed the city of joy. But no matter how extraordinary the occasion might have been off the field, the on-field action saw little change.

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Bangladesh yet again succumbed to India's lethal pace attack, as Ishant Sharma bagged his second five-wicket haul on home soil. Half-centuries later from Cheteshwar Pujara and skipper Virat Kohli ensured the hosts ended the opening day on a commanding note.

As expected, the pink ball swung more than its red counterpart right from the start. Moreover, the uniform grass cover on the deck meant the Indian pacemen continued from where they left off as the visitors opted to bat first after winning the toss.

Ishant drew first blood, trapping Imrul Kayes LBW with a sharp inswinger. Jolted early, Bangladesh fell like a pack of cards after that.

Rohit Sharma plucked an absolute blinder to dismiss Tigers captain Mominul Haque, leaving the neighbors quivering at 17/2.

Ishant Sharma

Mohammad Mithun was then castled by a zipping shooter from Umesh Yadav. Bangladesh's hopes of staging a fightback were thoroughly quashed as Mushfiqur Rahim dragged on for nought.

Shadman Islam flattered to deceive, nicking behind while flirting with Mohammed Shami's juicy outswinger in the corridor of uncertainty. Wriddhiman Saha displayed incredible athleticism to snaffle a healthy edge by Mahmudullah, pushing Bangladesh further towards a collapse.

Lunch was forced early as Liton Das retired hurt after being struck flush on the helmet by a nasty bouncer from Shami. Mehidy Hassan was consequently drafted in as a concussion substitute.

The hostile quicks then unleashed a plethora of bouncers to try and intimidate the weak lower-order into submission. Even Nayeem Hasan copped a terrible blow and was later replaced by Taijul Islam.

While Ishant promptly terminated Ebadat Hossain's nervous stay at the crease, Mehidy flicked a loosener straight to Pujara at short mid-wicket. Nayeem was brutally knocked over by a deceptive leg-cutter, helping Ishant's progression to a well-deserved fifer.

Shami finished the proceedings by removing Abu Jayed as Bangladesh concluded for a meager 106.

Batting under the luminous floodlights, India endured a rocky start with the in-form Mayank Agarwal edging a punch to gully. Rohit Sharma then enjoyed some good fortune as Al-Amin Hussain dropped a sitter at fine leg. But the batting aficionado failed to make the reprieve count and was pinned dead in front while shouldering arms to Hossain's inswinger.

Cheteshwar Pujara

Pujara then joined hands with skipper Virat Kohli to embark on a rescue operation. The veterans unfurled flamboyant drives and majestic whips to consolidate India's position as the guest nation labored in quest of a breakthrough.

Hossain ultimately furnished a glimmer of hope, muscling out Pujara with a lifter. But with a hungry Kohli remaining unbeaten on 59 at stumps, India are well on course to gain a substantial advantage in the first innings.

Brief Scores: Bangladesh 106 (Shadman Islam 29; Ishant Sharma 5-22) trail India 174/3 (Virat Kohli 59*, Cheteshwar Pujara 55; Ebadat Hossain 2-61) by 68 runs.