Stand-in India captain KL Rahul led India to a 188-run win in the first Test against Bangladesh in Chattogram after the hosts were bowled out for 324 runs on day five chasing 513 to win the match.
This was India’s 10th win over Bangladesh in 12 Test matches and the first for KL Rahul in Tests as India's captain.
He had to stand in as captain not only in this Test but also in the third ODI as well after regular captain Rohit Sharma injured his thumb while fielding in the second ODI and flew back to India for consultation and treatment.
Rohit Sharma had suffered a dislocation of thumb on his left hand and though he came out to bat in the second ODI, almost taking India past the finish line with a quick fifty and a heavily bandaged thumb, he missed the third and final ODI, which India won comfortably to avoid a series whitewash.
He was ruled of the first Test as well, with Bengal’s Abhimanyu Easwaran replacing him in the India squad.
After being asked about Rohit Sharma’s availability for the second Test match in Dhaka, KL Rahul said that he was not aware of it and some update should come in a day or two.
"About Rohit, we may be able to know (his status) in the next day or two, even I am not aware of it," Rahul said at the post-match press conference.
Rahul termed the first Test win against Bangladesh as a complete performance, saying the team did well in all departments and played as a unit.
"Everything stood out. We batted really well, and bowled really well. In fielding also, we took most of the catches that came our way. That is the way you win Test matches. Only one or two people cannot win matches, this is for all formats.
Kuldeep (Yadav), (Mohammed) Siraj bowled really well in the first innings (of Bangladesh) but others supported them well. In the second innings, Axar (Patel) bowled really well but Kuldeep and Ash (R Ashwin) kept the pressure on. Umesh (Yadav) and Siraj bowled some really good spells, kept it tight, and beat the bat many times but were unlucky,” KL Rahul added.
"Everybody did well and this was what we wanted to do as a team. The guys who performed well in particular also got support from others. Those who are supporting are also important,” he further said.
The stand-in skipper also said bundling Bangladesh out for 150 in their first innings set up the match for India.
"That gave us a lot of time to try and win the match. Had Bangladesh got 350 in the first innings, the match could gone for a draw. In Test cricket, you are not going to get an easy win. We knew that and we have played enough Test cricket to understand that at times the opposition is going to play better and we need to respect that. We have to keep doing our job," Rahul said.
Rahul was full of praise for Kuldeep Yadav, who made his comeback to the Test team and called him an asset for the team on pitches that do not offer much assistance to bowlers.
He said: "There was not much (on the wicket) for the spinners and Ash (R Ashwin) also felt that but Kuldeep brought a different variety and that is why we played Kuldeep on a pitch like this."
He said the 1-2 ODI series defeat was a bit disappointing.
"We played some good cricket but could not capitalize on the big moments. That was a bit disappointing. It is a completely new format now, new individuals, fresh energy coming in and you tend to forget what happened in the past and you try and focus what we have to do.
Test cricket is something everyone in the dressing room is excited about playing. There is a positive energy how we look at playing Test cricket and want to win games of cricket. We know that it is challenging and that is the fun of Test cricket,” Rahul signed off.
The second Test match will be played at the Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium in Dhaka from December 22 onwards.
(PTI inputs)
