Twin Hundreds Put India in Full Control
Twin Hundreds Put India in Full Control: India is on the verge of a comprehensive victory after setting Bangladesh a daunting target of 515 runs and reducing them to 158-4 on day three of the first Test between the two neighbors at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday.
Bangladesh began their second innings with promise, but India’s sharp fielding and three wickets from spin wizard Ravichandran Ashwin left the visitors reeling. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (51) and all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan (5) were still battling at the crease when bad light forced an early end to play. Bangladesh now face a monumental challenge, needing an improbable 357 runs to avoid defeat.
India resumed their dominance from the start of the day as Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant delivered stellar performances with the bat. Gill scored a classy, unbeaten 119, while Pant, playing his comeback Test after a serious car accident in late 2022, smashed a magnificent 109. Their centuries pushed India’s second-innings total to 287-4 before captain KL Rahul declared, leaving Bangladesh with a towering chase.
India had already gained the upper hand after bowling out Bangladesh for a paltry 149 in their first innings, giving the hosts a comfortable 227-run lead. Gill’s aggressive stroke play saw him reach his fifty in style, launching two sixes off Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the same over. Pant, on the other hand, showcased his resilience by bringing up his fifty with a single and pushing forward from there.
Bangladesh’s fielding woes continued as Najmul Hossain Shanto dropped Pant on 72, allowing the wicketkeeper-batsman to further punish the bowlers with back-to-back boundaries off Shakib Al Hasan. Pant raced to his sixth Test century with 13 fours and four sixes before being dismissed by a return catch to Mehidy. Gill remained unbeaten, his patient knock punctuated by 10 fours and four sixes.
Chasing a mammoth target, Bangladesh’s openers Zakir Hasan (33) and Shadman Islam (35) adopted a positive approach, adding 62 runs for the first wicket. However, their partnership was broken when Yashasvi Jaiswal pulled off a stunning left-handed catch in the slips to dismiss Zakir.
Ashwin, who had already made his mark with a crucial century in the first innings, continued to torment Bangladesh. His three-wicket haul included the dismissals of Shadman and veteran Mushfiqur Rahim, both falling to brilliant diving catches by Gill and Rahul respectively. Mominul Haque was castled by a perfect Ashwin delivery, leaving Bangladesh in deep trouble.
While the wickets tumbled at one end, Shanto continued his aggressive approach, reaching his half-century in style with his third six. However, with Bangladesh still requiring 357 more runs to win and India’s bowlers in fine form, the task seems insurmountable.
India’s dominance on day three leaves them poised for victory, and only a miracle can save Bangladesh from defeat as they head into day four facing a near-impossible task.
