Thu Sep 19 05:26:05 UTC 2024: ## Bangladesh Pacer Hasan Mahmud Runs Riot in Chennai Test, Sparking Debate Over Shubman Gill’s Place in Indian Team
**Chennai, India:** Bangladesh pacer Hasan Mahmud made a blistering start to the first Test against India in Chennai on Thursday, dismissing three of India’s top four batsmen in the morning session. The early inroads, including a controversial dismissal of Shubman Gill for a duck, sparked a debate on social media about the young batsman’s place in the Indian team.
Mahmud, who took the wickets of Rohit Sharma (6), Shubman Gill (0) and Virat Kohli (6), exploited the early morning conditions to great effect, leaving the hosts reeling at 16/3. Gill’s dismissal, in particular, attracted attention as he edged a ball sliding down the leg side, leading to calls from fans questioning his inclusion in the team.
Despite a historic 2-0 Test series win over Pakistan, Bangladesh have never beaten India in 13 attempts. The visitors, led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, are hoping to upset the odds, capitalizing on the moisture in the pitch that provides favorable conditions for their pace attack.
Meanwhile, India, led by Rohit Sharma, are aiming to extend their lead at the top of the World Test Championship rankings and are looking to start their 10-match Test season on a winning note. The return of Rishabh Pant and Virat Kohli adds further strength to the Indian side, who are also using this series to mark the beginning of a new era under head coach Gautam Gambhir.
This match marks the first Test appearance for Gambhir, who has replaced Rahul Dravid as the Indian head coach. Despite the early setbacks, India will be hoping to turn the tide and secure a convincing victory against Bangladesh. The ongoing debate over Gill’s position within the team is sure to continue, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this series.
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