India send warning Australia’s way with Bangladesh mauling

Men in Blue defeat Tigers by 208 runs in historic Test


Afp February 13, 2017
Photo: AFP

HYDERABAD: India issued a battle cry to Australia on Monday as they wrapped up a comprehensive 208-run victory over Bangladesh after a devastating display of spin bowling by Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

Chasing 459 for victory on the final day of their first Test on Indian soil, Bangladesh were bowled out for 250 in an extended afternoon session after stubborn resistance from their lower order.

Ashwin and Jadeja shared eight second innings wickets to help India extend their record unbeaten run to 19 Tests and leave them in prime form for a series against arch rivals Australia later this month.

India's Ashwin becomes fastest bowler to bag 250 Test wickets


India skipper Virat Kohli, man of the match for his 204 in the first innings, paid tribute to Bangladesh for their fighting performance but made clear that his thoughts had already turned to Australia.

"Everyone's minds and hearts are on that series and we are keen to start the first Test," said Kohli after seeing off Bangladesh in Hyderabad. "Everyone is raring to go ... It's a very big series for us."

Australia, currently number two in the Test rankings, land in Mumbai on Monday for a four-Test series against Kohli's top-ranked team.

Kohli, second only to Australian skipper Steve Smith in the batting rankings, will go into the series in red-hot form after hitting his fourth double century since July.

The Indian skipper said he had been making sure that he does "not get ahead of myself" but acknowledged that he was in top form — albeit in understated fashion.

Bangladesh struggling to save Test against India


"It's been coming off (the bat) nicely in the last year," he said.

Monday's result had appeared in little doubt after Bangladesh had been set such a massive total in their second innings and the tourists began the final day on 103-3.

Mahmudullah (64) shrugged off poor form to register his 13th Test 50 while young spinner Mehedi Hasan made a gutsy 61-ball 23 to delay the inevitable against the world's number one Test side.

But the match ended when Ashwin, who in his 45th Test had become the fastest bowler to claim 250 Test wickets on Sunday, trapped Taskin Ahmed lbw to finish with figures of four for 73.

Rahim said he was "really proud" of his side and hoped that "we can learn from this". "If we had restricted (them) to 550 or 600 we could have had a chance but it was quite tough out there," he said.

COMMENTS (4)

Indian | 7 years ago | Reply @Hidden truth: It applies to all sub-continent teams not just India. How many series SL, PAK and BD has won away from home ? At least India is moving in the right direction to win a series in Eng, Aus and SA.
vijesh | 7 years ago | Reply @Hidden truth: Why don't you compare how many matches india played outside and home based on the ICC test matches cycle... Read it before you complain...
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