Pujara and Iyer lead India recovery against Bangladesh
Cheteshwar Pujara and Shreyas Iyer steered India to an opening-day recovery against Bangladesh in the first Test in Chattogram.
The tourists won the toss at Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium and opted to bat first, with opener KL Rahul deputising as captain in place of the injured Rohit Sharma.
Impressive knocks from Pujara (90) and Iyer (82 not out) helped them steadily build a total they hope will offer a defence against their hosts, ending the day on 278-6.
But sturdy figures from Taijul Islam (3-84) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (2-71) helped Bangladesh keep their opponents on something of a leash, and briefly had them in serious trouble early in the innings.
There was a three-wicket flurry taking Shubman Gill, Rahul and Virat Kohli - the latter for a solitary single - at the cost of just seven runs as India were swiftly reduced to 48-3.
But a hard-hitting cameo from Rishabh Pant, with 46 off 45 balls and eight boundaries to boot, saw India wrestle back some control.
When he fell to make it 112-4, Iyer - in just his sixth Test match - joined Pujara at the crease to mount a controlled partnership, putting together 149 for the fifth wicket.
It was Bangladesh who served up the final sting of the day however, following the latter's dismissal, with Axar Patel trapped lbw off the final ball of the day to keep this encounter hanging in the balance.
twitter:1602978619734622209Iyer showcases middle-order strength
Having nabbed a century on debut against New Zealand last year, the India batter has posted another four half-centuries since at the Test crease for his country.
His latest was an assured knock - that included 10 fours - to bring some needed momentum back to the tourists, and he will return to the crease in a bid to reach three figures and push India beyond 300 on Thursday.
Seamers struggle for Bangladesh
Ebadot Hossain and Khaled Ahmed led the hosts' bowling attack out of the gates in Chattogram, but both failed to really cause problems, their impact reducing the longer the first day wound on.
With just one wicket between them - that of Rahul, early on - they looked lacking in threat compared to the rest of their team-mates, with few full balls between them.
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