India wrapped up the last 4 four wickets to win the first Test by 188 runs and take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series in Chittagong on Sunday.
Their 188-run win and South Africa’s six-wicket loss to Australia shortly afterwards meant India are now second on the World Test Championship points table.
They have another five Tests in this cycle, and if they win four of those, they will guarantee themselves another appearance in the final.
Bangladesh are in last place in the table.
Set an enormous 513 to win, Bangladesh put up dogged resistance with Zakir Hasan scoring a century on debut on Saturday in a record opening partnership with Najmul Hossain who made 67.
Skipper Shakib Al Hasan made an attacking 84 that included six sixes but he was bowled by Kuldeep Yadav on day five and the hosts quickly folded to be all out for 324 after an hour’s play.
Kuldeep Yadav was the bowling hero for India.
He dismissed Shakib and Ebadot Hossain in successive overs, finishing with figures of 3-73 while Axar Patel claimed the final wicket of Taijul Islam to return with 4-77.
Kuldeep, who also claimed 5-40 in the first innings, was named player of the match.
“Getting runs was hard on the first three days. The way their openers batted, we had to work hard. Our intensity was really high,” said India captain KL Rahul.
Bangladesh captain Shakib blamed their poor batting for the loss after being skittled for just 150 in the first innings.
“It was a really good wicket to bat on but we didn’t bat well in the first innings.”
“Playing after five to six months, it wasn’t ideal but there should be no excuses. Lot of credit to India the way they bowled,” he said.
India, who have never lost a Test to Bangladesh, put on 404 in the first innings thanks to 90 from Cheteshwar Pujara and 86 by Shreyas Iyer.
In the second innings Pujara was in his element again, reaching 102 not out alongside Shubman Gill who made 110, allowing the visitors to declare on 258-2.
The second Test for the series will begin at Dhaka on December 22.
India 404 (Pujara 90, Iyer 86, Miraz 4-112, Taijul 4-133) and 258 for 2 dec (Gill 110, Pujara 102*) beat Bangladesh 150 (Mushfiqur 28, Kuldeep 5-40) and 324 (Zakir 100, Shakib 84, Axar 4-77) by 188 runs
