Ravichandran Ashwin powered his way to his sixth Test century, rescuing India from a precarious position on the first day of the 1st Test against Bangladesh in Chennai on Thursday (September 19).

Alongside fellow all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, Ashwin's knock helped India recover from a dire situation, as the visitors struggled to contain the duo's fightback. Ashwin reached the century milestone off 108 balls, punctuated by 10 fours and 2 sixes, showcasing his prowess with the bat.

Ashwin's innings came at a crucial time, with India wobbling at 144/6 after a collapse that saw most of the top order back in the pavilion.

Earlier in the day, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision that quickly paid dividends. Bangladesh's 24-year-old pacer, Hasan Mahmud, delivered a fiery spell in the morning session, claiming three crucial wickets to leave India reeling.

Mahmud's pace and accuracy dismantled the top order, dismissing Rohit Sharma (6), Shubman Gill (0), and Virat Kohli (6) cheaply, putting the hosts in a tough spot early on.

Yashasvi Jaiswal had earlier offered some resistance with a well-crafted 56, but his departure, followed by the dismissals of Rishabh Pant (39) and KL Rahul (16), left India reeling. Jaiswal’s patient half-century, crafted over 118 balls with nine boundaries, stood out amid India's early struggles, as Mahmud wreaked havoc with figures of 4/35.

The key partnership between Jaiswal and Pant added 62 runs from 99 balls for the fourth wicket, briefly steadying the innings. However, Pant's promising return to Test cricket was cut short when he edged a loose shot off Mahmud to wicketkeeper Litton Das.

Jaiswal, the most composed of the Indian batters, reached his half-century off 95 balls with a single off Mehidy Hasan Miraz, but he too was unable to capitalize further.

At tea, India found themselves in a precarious position at 176/6, before Ashwin and Jadeja stepped in to steer the hosts out of danger.