Bangladesh strikes but India extend lead to 308
Published: 20 September 2024, 8:00:11
India scored 81 for three at stumps in second innings to extend their overall lead to 308 runs against Bangladesh on the second day of the opening Test at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday.
Despite losing three early wickets, they remain in firm control of the first Test. An excellent performance by Indian pacers, particularly Jasprit Bumrah, helped the host secure a tight advantage as the end of the day two.
On a 17-wicket Day 2 in Chennai, Bangladesh suffered early setbacks in their innings after bowling out India early. Bumrah decided to change the angle, coming from around the wicket to see Shadman Islam shoulder arms to a delivery that came in as he was bowled for 2. Zakir Hasan had a lucky break as he was rapped on the pad by Mohammed Siraj but India chose not to review, with replays later revealing three reds. After three overs each for Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep and R Ashwin were introduced into the attack and the former had Zakir and Mominul Haque bowled off successive deliveries to leave Bangladesh at 22/3.
Najmul Hossain Shanto, who had made a promising start, had to depart early in the second session as Siraj got him to edge the ball to second slip. Bangladesh slipped to 40/5 as Bumrah got the better of Mushfiqur Rahim with a delivery that moved away late. A half-century partnership between Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das ensued, with the pair batting watchfully initially before starting to play their shots. They struck eight fours between them to lead a mini recovery but India hit back with Ravindra Jadeja dismissing both. Hasan Mahmud and Mehidy Hasan Miraz scored a few boundaries but the former fell to Bumrah on the brink of Tea to leave Bangladesh eight down.
Mehidy and Taskin Ahmed kept India waiting for a while with a partnership worth 18. But Bumrah, who bowled a few short deliveries to Taskin, got him bowled eventually with a yorker. Mehidy tried to farm the strike as much as possible while batting with Nahid Rana, and even hit Ashwin for a six. Rana managed a couple of boundaries off Bumrah and Akash missed the chance to run the No.11 out. But Siraj came back and had Rana bowled to give India a 227-run lead.
Yashasvi Jaiswal helped India start positively as he struck two fours in the first over off Taskin, while Rohit Sharma also got off the mark with a clip off Hasan Mahmud for a four. Taskin, though, ended the Indian captain’s stay, getting one to move away late to find the outside edge. Jaiswal was the next to fall, edging Rana to the ‘keeper. Shubman Gill played a few lovely shots, with Virat Kohli supporting him from the other end.
Kohli struck a fine pull off Mehidy but fell soon after, trapped in front while attempting to flick a full delivery. He chose not to review but replays later revealed that there was an inside edge. Rishabh Pant hit a four off Shakib for his first boundary and followed it up with a six as India extended their lead past 300. Pant and Shubman were unbeaten, having added 14 runs.
Earlier, India’s innings was cut short by Taskin, who bagged three quick wickets while Mahmud became the first Bangladesh pacer to bag a five-wicket haul. India folded quickly on Day 2, adding only 37 runs to their overnight total. It was still a remarkable performance from India’s lower order, led by Ashwin’s 113 and Jadeja’s 86, as they added 232 for the last four wickets having been reduced to 144/6 on Day 1.
Taskin, who began with the second new ball at the start of the day, had Jadeja poking at a delivery outside off to dismiss him for his overnight score of 86. R Ashwin, meanwhile, edged one off Mahmud for a four, and Akash struck a flurry of boundaries off Mahmud. Akash contributed 17 in a 24-run stand with Ashwin before he fell to Taskin looking for a big shot. Taskin then ended a fine innings from Ashwin, who looked to go over the top but ended up handing a catch to Najmul at deep mid off. Bumrah was the last to fall, as Mahmud finally bagged his fifth wicket.
Brief scores: India 376 (R Ashwin 113, Ravindra Jadeja 86, Yashasvi Jaiswal 56; Hasan Mahmud 5-83, Taskin Ahmed 3-55) & 81/3 (Shubman Gill 33*; Nahid Rana 1-12) lead Bangladesh 149 (Shakib Al Hasan 32, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 27*; Jasprit Bumrah 4-50, Ravindra Jadeja 2-19, Akash Deep 2-19) by 308 runs.