Despite losing their first four wickets for just 13 runs, Bangladesh managed to make it to the third day of Kolkata Test
Mushfiqur Rahim hit his 21st Test fifty to check the batting collapse and guided the Tigers to the third day in spite of some serious fear of losing the game within two days.
Bangladesh posted 152 for six in 32.3 overs in their second innings before the umpires pulled off the bails with the dismissal of Taijul Islam midway through the scheduled last over of the day. Mushfiqur remained unbeaten for 59 off 70 balls with 10 fours.
Ishan Sharma bagged four wickets conceding 39 runs while Umesh Yadav took two wickets for 40 runs.
Despite Mushfiqur’s hard-fought fifty, Bangladesh are in big trouble in Kolkata Test as they still need 89 runs to avoid an innings defeat.
Bangladesh lost four quick wickets in the second innings after India declared their first innings on 347 for nine in 89.4 overs. The hosts secured a 241-run lead at the end of their first innings.
Bangladesh lost Shadman Islam and Mominul Haque inside two runs. Ishant scalped both of Bangladesh’s first two wickets in his first two overs of the second innings.
After suffering a duck in the first innings, Mominul came with the same failure in the second innings, and with this, he became the second Bangladeshi captain after Habibul Bashar to have suffered a pair.
Imrul Kayes failed to impress once again and most probably another one-digit contribution in Kolkata Test has brought his final time for the national team. It will be a surprise if he gets another call to Bangladesh side in future.
Before scoring 4 and 5 in Kolkata, Imrul scored only 6 and 6 in Indore Test. This dismal show of the southpaw brought him under a serious question about his international career.
After losing four wickets just in 13 runs, Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah came up with a gritty fight as they added 68 runs in the fifth wicket stand before Mahmudullah’s retiring hurt due to a hamstring blow 39.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who was included in the playing XI as the concussion substitute, came into the field to partner Mushfiqur in the same stand and added 51 runs before falling apart off Ishant on 15 off 22 runs.
Bangladesh had to make another concussion substitute in this game as Nayeem Hasan got a struck on his head, and the team management brought in Taijul Islam as the replacement.
After Mehidy’s dismissal, Taijul Islam batted 24 balls to score 11 before the day ends. Taijul fell prey to Umesh.
Earlier, India scored 347 for nine in 89.4 overs with the help of Virat Kohli’s 27th Test ton. It was Virat’s second Test ton at the Eden Gardens with the previous one came against Sri Lanka back in 2017. With this century, Indian captain’s tally of international tons reached 70. He just needs two more centuries to pass Rickey Ponting’s 71 and become second after Sachin Tendulkar in the list of the most century in career.
Along with Virat, Cheteshwar Pujara (55) and Ajinkya Rahane (51) also contributed well with the bat.
Al Amin Hossain and Ebadat Hossain bagged three wickets each while Abu Jayed Rahi scalped two wickets.
Bangladesh tumbled for 106 in the first innings as they were completely fumbled against the Indian pace attack. Ishant bagged five wickets while Umesh took three and Mohammad Shami scalped two wickets.
Brief score: Bangladesh first innings 106/10 in 30.3 overs, Shadman 29, Liton 24, Nayeem 19, Ishant 5/22, Umesh 3/29, Shami 2/36
India first innings 347/9 (declare) in 89.4 overs, Virat 136, Pujara 55, Rahane 51, Al Amin 3/85, Ebadat 3/91, Abu Jayed 2/77
Bangladesh second innings 152/6 in 32.3 overs, Mushfiqur 59*, Mahmudullah 39 (retired hurt), Mehidy 15, Ishant 4/39, Umesh 2/40
