3 Things Hasan Mahmud Did Right In The First Innings vs India

Hasan Mahmud bagged a fifer in IND vs BAN 1st Test (X)Hasan Mahmud bagged a fifer in IND vs BAN 1st Test (X)

Hasan Mahmud turned heads in the first Test against India at Chepauk with a sensational five-wicket haul, becoming the first Bangladeshi bowler to achieve this feat in India. The young paceman was a thorn in India's side, especially early on when he had them teetering at 34/3, and later, when he cleaned up the tail to restrict the hosts to 376.

While India managed a comeback, thanks to a record partnership between Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, Hasan's efforts were the standout.

Let’s break down the three things Hasan Mahmud did right in his first-innings masterclass.

1. Relentless Use of the New Ball

From the get-go, Hasan Mahmud made the new ball dance to his tune. His impeccable control and ability to swing the ball both ways left India's top order walking on eggshells. 

Within the first 45 minutes of play, he sent Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli back to the pavillion. It wasn’t just his pace but the movement off the seam that proved India’s undoing.

Mahmud's line was consistently tight, drawing the Indian batters into playing at deliveries they would have rather left. His ability to pitch the ball in that corridor of uncertainty made the batters unsure whether to play or leave. 

Rohit’s and Kohli’s dismissals were prime examples of this, as both were caught edging behind, undone by Mahmud's subtle lateral movement.

2. Brilliant Use of Variations and Reverse Swing

When the ball lost its shine and the Chepauk track flattened out, Mahmud didn’t rest on his laurels. He switched gears, using reverse swing and subtle variations to keep the Indian middle order in check. 

After Bangladesh had India reeling at 144/6, Ashwin and Jadeja began to rebuild, but Mahmud continued to chip away with his smart use of the old ball.

Rishabh Pant’s wicket right after lunch, induced by a change in length, was crucial in breaking India’s early momentum. Mahmud also kept testing the batters with slower deliveries, and his ability to reverse the ball made sure India’s recovery wasn’t as smooth as they’d hoped. 

His persistent pressure with the older ball culminated in wrapping up India’s innings quickly after Ashwin and Jadeja’s stand.

3. Exceptional Discipline in Length and Line

One of the major reasons Mahmud was able to break through India’s defenses repeatedly was his discipline. He bowled with metronomic precision, never giving the batters a moment's respite. 

Even when the partnership between Jadeja and Ashwin was flourishing, Hasan stuck to his guns, consistently attacking the stumps and setting up the dismissals with pinpoint accuracy.

His persistence and refusal to give an inch made him a nightmare for India’s batters, and in humid Chennai conditions, his stamina and focus were equally commendable. 

The fact that he managed to return a five-wicket haul despite India recovering speaks volumes of his character and discipline.