Hyderabad Test Tits-Bits

A morning to rejoice

Bangladesh couldn’t expect more dreamy start in a Test what was termed as historic game. In the just fourth ball of the day Taskin Ahmed’s stable seam travelled in a geometric fashion to rattle Lokesh Rahul's timber to give the side a dramatic start. He had hit 140km speed consistently to make batsmen jump and fend in a wicket that has a tinge of grass. His brutal pace was complemented by fellow new ball bowler Kamrul Islam Rabbi who moved the ball in both ways. In the first 10 overs, the two literally made the life hell for the Indian batsmen by finding the edges repeatedly that unfortunately fell short of fielders. At the end of five overs, India had only four scoring shots. The first boundary arrived in the next over when Cheteshwar Pujara uncharacteristically drove away from the body and sent an outside edge flying to his right of gully. Four balls later, Pujara watched his leading edge drop in front of cover, a testament of Bangladesh fast bowlers overwhelming dominance.

And they let loose the baton

Indian batsmen showed patience what was needed in cricket’s conventional format. After a torrid 10 overs, they finally got the momentum when Cheteshwar Pujara’s catch was put down. Pujara who finally made 83, was on 11 then.  Kamrul Islam Rabbi who embarrassed the batsmen initially by swinging the ball in both way got the edge of Pujara who played it with hard hands. It fell short of slip but neither wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim nor Shakib Al Hasan, stationed at first slip dived to catch it. It was a mental breakdown for the bowler who deserved the wicket really. After that Rabbi was no more a bowler who could threat Indian batsman. Apart from sloppy fielding, Bangladesh missed an easy run-out chance of opener  Murali Vijay when he was on 35. He went on to score 108 finally.

Mushfiqur’s resolve

The people’s voice has been getting louder over Mushfiqur Rahim’s work behind the wicket. He was as usual shaky behind the wicket on the first day of the Hyderabad Test also and put down a catch of Cheteshwar Pujara. There was belief that if he dives to his front, he could grab the catch. However he amended it later, removing the same batsman with a stunning catch. As off-spinner Mehedi Hasan Miraj found Pujara’s thick outside edge, it hits the top flap of Mushfiqur’s pad and he jumped up to have a second grab. Mushfiqur had the presence of mind to watch it all the way as he dived to his right.

King for a reason

Virat Kohli’s imperious form and stunning fitness earned him a nick name of ‘King Kohli’. And he showed as to why he is called so. He brought up the fourth century in the last seven Tests  when he ended the first day on 111. This was his 16th century in his 54th Test but more importantly he completed a set of scoring century in every country against whom he played. He however is yet to play a Test against Pakistan and Zimbabwe.

Hyderabad Test Tits-Bits

A morning to rejoice Bangladesh couldnt expect more dreamy start in a Test what was termed as historic game. In the just fourth ball of the day Taskin Ahmeds stable seam travelled in a geometric fashion to rattle Lokesh Rahuls timber to give the side a dramatic start. He had hit 140km speed consistently to make batsmen jump and fend in a wicket that has a tinge of grass. His brutal pace was complemented by fellow new ball bowler Kamrul Islam Rabbi who moved the ball in both ways. In the first 10 overs, the two literally made the life hell for the Indian batsmen by finding the edges repeatedly that unfortunately fell short of fielders. At the end of five overs, India had only four scoring shots. The first boundary arrived in the next over when Cheteshwar Pujara uncharacteristically drove away from the body and sent an outside edge flying to his right of gully. Four balls later, Pujara watched his leading edge drop in front of cover, a testament of Bangladesh fast bowlers overwhelming dominance. And they let loose the baton Indian batsmen showed patience what was needed in crickets conventional format. After a torrid 10 overs, they finally got the momentum when Cheteshwar Pujaras catch was put down. Pujara who finally made 83, was on 11 then. Kamrul Islam Rabbi who embarrassed the batsmen initially by swinging the ball in both way got the edge of Pujara who played it with hard hands. It fell short of slip but neither wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim nor Shakib Al Hasan, stationed at first slip dived to catch it. It was a mental breakdown for the bowler who deserved the wicket really. After that Rabbi was no more a bowler who could threat Indian batsman. Apart from sloppy fielding, Bangladesh missed an easy run-out chance of opener Murali Vijay when he was on 35. He went on to score 108 finally. Mushfiqurs resolve The peoples voice has been getting louder over Mushfiqur Rahims work behind the wicket. He was as usual shaky behind the wicket on the first day of the Hyderabad Test also and put down a catch of Cheteshwar Pujara. There was belief that if he dives to his front, he could grab the catch. However he amended it later, removing the same batsman with a stunning catch. As off-spinner Mehedi Hasan Miraj found Pujaras thick outside edge, it hits the top flap of Mushfiqurs pad and he jumped up to have a second grab. Mushfiqur had the presence of mind to watch it all the way as he dived to his right. King for a reason Virat Kohlis imperious form and stunning fitness earned him a nick name of King Kohli. And he showed as to why he is called so. He brought up the fourth century in the last seven Tests when he ended the first day on 111. This was his 16th century in his 54th Test but more importantly he completed a set of scoring century in every country against whom he played. He however is yet to play a Test against Pakistan and Zimbabwe.