Bangladesh's Top-Order Collapse Costs Them in Chennai Test Defeat

Bangladesh's top-order collapse in the first innings proved costly in their 280-run defeat to India in the first Test in Chennai, according to captain Najmul Hossain Shanto.

Despite an improved second-innings performance, Bangladesh's 234 all out was not enough to overcome their first-innings deficit of 285. Shanto believes the team's inability to form a substantial partnership in the first innings was crucial.

"We didn't bat well in the first innings," Shanto said. "It was a very important phase of the game. We could have been in a better position if we had at least one [big] top-order partnership."

The top order showed some improvement in the second innings, with openers Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam adding 62 runs. However, Shanto believes they need to spend more time at the crease.

"It is important to spend the time in the wicket but it wasn't enough [today]," Shanto said. "Still, it will help for the second Test. It was very important for the openers to put on 62 runs. That's one thing we can look forward to in the next Test match."

Shanto scored his first Test fifty in 11 innings, but he believes he could have done better.

"I think everyone has a different plan. I hope they (India) will plan differently in the next match," he said.

Despite a nervous start in the first innings, Shanto adjusted well in the second, attacking R Ashwin and reaching his half-century off 55 balls. However, he struggled against Mohammed Siraj on the fourth day.

"The morning session was tough today. The way Siraj was bowling. They were all bowling really well," Shanto said.

Bangladesh's openers showed promise on the third day, but their inability to convert starts into substantial scores remains a concern.

"It goes without saying that you need to start well and once you have faced 20 or 30 balls, you get a bit of idea of what's happening," batting coach David Hemp said. "You want to go on from that, especially when you scored 30 or 40 runs."

While the openers' mini-fightback and Shanto's knock provide some confidence, Bangladesh's top-order failure in the first innings will continue to haunt them until they find a solution.

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