Pujara, Shreyas century stand bail India out of wood on Opening Day

Chattogram: Cheteshwar Pujara and Shreyas Iyer's half centuries steadied India after an early wobble as India ended 278/6 on Day 1 of the first Test against Bangladesh at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium here on Wednesday.Pujara missed out on a well-deserved century by 10 runs, while Iyer's knock was aggressive albeit with lots of luck. He was batting on 82 when stumps were drawn.

Pujara (90 off 203 balls) looked set for his first century in 50 Test innings but was denied as Taijul Islam, who caused the top-order collapse earlier, broke through once more for the hosts.Axar Patel's (14) wicket off the last ball of the day ensured Bangladesh shared honours with India.

India won the toss, but started in poor fashion, rattled at 48/3, but Rishabh Pant's counterpunch fuelled the action which was furthered by a solid 149 runs stand between Pujara and Iyer.

Left-arm finger spinner Taijul Islam was pick of the bowler for Bangladesh as got purchase off the wicket with sharp turn. He ended the day with figures of 84/3 in 30 overs.Ebadot Hossain was at his venomous best, but could not get a single wicket which he richly deserved.

Earlier, KL Rahul and Shubnam Gill got off to a spirited start and quickly posted 30 runs in seven overs, which forced Bangladesh to think differently.Skipper Shakib Al Hasan brought on Taijul, who struck immediately after starting with a maiden over. He removed Gill (20) caught by Yasi Ali at leg slip when the Indian opener tried to paddle sweep.

The runs thereafter dried up, just 15 runs were scored in next 11 overs, with the dogged Pujara taking guard. Rahul (22) played a pretty shot to chop on against Khaled Ahmed, who sent down an exceptional second spell.

Taijul then got one to turn big to totally defeat Virat Kohli (1) for LBW, putting India under serious pressure losing 3 wickets for 7 runs, but Pant came in and did what he does the best.

The southpaw gave two hoots to men in the deep and clobbered Taijul and shattered the confidence of their best bowlers, which resulted in a thrilling 37-run stand with Pujara off just 39 balls.At lunch, India were 85/3 in 26 overs. The visitors added 89/1 in 30 overs, pushing the total to 174/4 in 56 overs at tea.

Pant looked ominous yet again, but fell to Mehidy Hasan Miraz's slider while playing on the backfoot when he could have dealt with off the front foot. He played an entertaining knock of 46 off 45 balls, in which he clobbered four boundaries.

Barring that prized wicket, India kept the board ticking. Shreyas was scratchy to start off, but came into his own to stitch an 149 runs stand for fifth wicket.Pujara held one end up, doing what he does best to tire out the bowlers.(UNI)