Second innings in Tests in India are generally about spinners. But not anymore, it seems, after India fast bowlers blew Bangladesh away on Saturday to seal victory by an innings and 130 runs in the first Test in Indore.
Fast bowler Mohammed Shami was the wrecker in chief, finishing with 4-31 in the second innings to go with 3-27 in the first. The visitors were bowled out for 213, Mushfiqur Rahim top-scoring with 64. But in all fairness, there wasn't much of a contest as India's pacers didn't give Bangladesh any breathing space.
Umesh Yadav started the slide in the opening hour, bowling a perfect in swinger to uproot the leg stump of opener Imrul Kayes. From the other end, seamer Ishant Sharma brought the ball back in to castle fellow opener Shadman Islam. Those two dismissals set the tone for the day as the Tigers tried to delay the inevitable.
Mohammed Mithun attempted to force the issue by looking to pull Shami, only to mistime the ball to mid-wicket. At 44-4, it was already the beginning of the end.
Rahim, however, tried his best to take the fight to the Indian camp. His knock of 64 took 150 balls and included seven hits to the fence. He received good support from lower order batsmen Liton Das (35) and Mehidy Hasan (38) but all this was just of academic interest.
Not only were India's fast bowlers effective, they were threatening with some batsmen backing away while facing them. Off-spinner Ravi Ashwin finished the job (3-42) by taking the wicket of Rahim.
After the match, pace bowling trio of Shami, Yadav and Ishant said they are enjoying each other's success in the Test format and that is reflecting in the results.
"The more we get tired, the better fun we have. We push each other. We try to enjoy each other's success," Shami said. "I have been empowered by the skipper and the coach. Bowling with Ishant and Umesh makes it easier for me."
Fellow quick Umesh said identifying your strengths is key to success as a Test pacer. "Earlier, the new ball was doing a lot for the pacers. We know our strengths. We try to take wickets with the new ball and make it easier for spinners. The incentive for us at home is if you take more wickets, you get to bowl more. I try to deliver whatever is expected of me."
Among the three, Ishant is the senior most player and is seen as a bit of a mentor. However, the lanky insists he is not treated as a 'senior.
"I am not treated as a senior, we don't have anything like that. We always enjoy each other's success, speak with each other and try and share our plans. I'm 31, the bowling is taking a toll on my body, but I'm enjoying it, trying out different variations."
