The visitors entered Chennai with high spirits following a historic win in Pakistan, but they could not match the Indian team, where Rishabh Pant made a successful return after recovering from a severe car accident.
Bangladesh remains winless against India in Test matches, with 14 attempts to date.
While chasing a target of 515, Bangladesh was bowled out for 234 in the first session on day four, which was overcast. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto was the top scorer with 82, forming a 48-run partnership with overnight partner Shakib Al Hasan. Bangladesh had resumed the day on 158-4.
India took a commanding 1-0 lead in the two-match series, further solidifying their position at the top of the World Test Championship rankings.
It’s a great outcome, considering what lies ahead, said captain Rohit Sharma after India started the new Test season, which includes 10 matches, with an impressive performance.
Local favorite Ashwin broke the resilient overnight partnership by dismissing Shakib for 25, caught at short-leg.
Ashwin, who had already taken three wickets on day three, then removed Mehidy Hasan Miraz for one, securing his 37th five-wicket haul, matching the late Shane Warne.
Muttiah Muralitharan remains well ahead with 67 five-wicket hauls.
Ashwin’s achievement added to his earlier heroics with the bat, where his 113 helped India post 376 in the first innings.
He’s been a constant asset for us over the years, Rohit said of the 38-year-old Ashwin. I don’t think words can fully capture what he contributes to the team. He always seems to be in the game.
Shakib and Najmul initially adopted a cautious approach, adding 48 runs together.
Ravindra Jadeja, a left-arm spinner, dismissed Litton Das for one, as the wicketkeeper-batsman edged the ball to Rohit at first slip.
Jadeja later ended Najmul’s determined effort and finished the innings with three wickets.
Little bit emotional
India's spin duo, Ashwin and Jadeja, played a pivotal role with the bat in the first innings, as their 199-run partnership for the seventh wicket lifted the team from a precarious 144-6 to a competitive total on day one.
In the second innings, India declared at 287-4 on day three, after centuries from Shubman Gill, who remained unbeaten on 119, and the returning Rishabh Pant, who scored 109, put the opposition on the back foot.
Gill and Pant, playing his first Test since a serious car accident in December 2022, put together a 167-run stand for the fourth wicket.
I just enjoyed batting and got a bit emotional, Pant said regarding his celebration after notching his sixth Test century.
But ultimately, being on the field gives me more joy than anything else.
This Test marked Virat Kohli's return since the birth of his second child, which caused him to miss India's 4-1 series win against England earlier in the year. Kohli scored 6 and 17 in the match.
India's bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, secured an early advantage by bowling out Bangladesh for 149 in their first innings.
Bangladesh pacer Hasan Mahmud claimed five wickets in India's first innings, reducing the team to 34-3 in the first hour of play.
Captain Najmul acknowledged that Taskin Ahmed and Hasan's bowling provided some consolation, despite the early success.
But India batted very well after that, he added.
Both teams now travel to Kanpur for the second Test, starting on Friday.
