In a gripping first day of the Test match in Chennai, Bangladesh fast bowler Hasan Mahmud shone brightly but ultimately found the team in a challenging position.

After a remarkable start where Bangladesh claimed three wickets for just 34 runs, the Indian batting line-up rebounded thanks to a stellar partnership between Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. By the end of the day, India had reached a formidable score of 339 for 6, with the two seasoned players combining for an unbeaten 195-run stand.

Despite the early breakthroughs, which included the wickets of cricketing giants like Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli, Hasan noted a shift in momentum as conditions favored batting. “From morning, there was bit of seam on the wicket. Later on, the wicket got settled and the ball is coming to the bat nicely. Still the fast bowlers were getting the seam, I was bowling later on seam movement, maybe tomorrow we can create more chances,” Hasan said.

Reflecting on his performance, Hasan emphasized the importance of maintaining pressure. “We tried to restrict boundaries and contain runs. Although we had some momentum, it has shifted towards India now,” he added.

With the match played using SG balls—a departure from the Kookaburra and Duke balls used in domestic competitions—Hasan noted that while the equipment may differ, the bowling strategy remains consistent. “Regardless of the ball, the key is to focus on our bowling spots. We continue to practice hard to adapt.”

Hasan’s journey into international cricket has not been without challenges, including injuries and periods of low form. “In the past few years, I’ve focused on domestic cricket to improve my game. Thankfully, those efforts are now bearing fruit on the international stage,” he further said.