Fri Sep 20 02:49:14 UTC 2024: ## Bangladesh’s Strong Start in Chennai Test Marred by Slow Overs Rate
**Chennai, India:** Bangladesh made a strong start to the first Test against India in Chennai, reducing the hosts to 144 for 6. However, a magnificent century from Ravichandran Ashwin (102*) and a crucial 86* from Ravindra Jadeja propelled India to a strong position at the end of Day 1, with the score at 339 for 6.
Despite their impressive start, Bangladesh faces a bigger problem: a slow over-rate that could see them penalised by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The visitors bowled only 80 overs throughout the day, despite a half-hour extension granted for delays, falling short of the target by 10 overs.
This is not the first time Bangladesh has faced such an issue. Last month, they were docked three World Test Championship points and fined 15% of their match fee for a slow over-rate in their first Test against Pakistan.
Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle expressed his displeasure on X, stating that “Bangladesh will have bowled less than 80 overs in spite of the extra half hour added on. It has to be unacceptable.”
According to ICC World Test Championship playing conditions, a team loses one World Test Championship point for every penalty over incurred during the Round Stage. Bangladesh’s poor over-rate adds further pressure to their already challenging task of winning the match.
First Piper 