Virat Kohli’s 204, Wriddhiman Saha’s ton puts India in command vs Bangladesh
Virat Kohli scored 204 while Wriddhiman Saha stayed unbeaten on 106 as India notched - 678/6 - their highest-ever total against Bangladesh. In reply, the visitors were 41/1, trailing the hosts by 646 runs at stumps on Day 2
India skipper Virat Kohli created a record on Friday by becoming the first batsman to notch up four double centuries in four successive series. His 204-run effort helped him surpass the record of Don Bradman and Rahul Dravid who made three doubles in three series. It also powered India to 687/6 on the second day of the one-off Test against Bangladesh at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
The hosts, with their massive total, became the first team to make an innings score of 600 in three consecutive Test matches. The 687/6 they posted, following 631 and 759 against England in Mumbai and Chennai respectively, pushed Bangladesh on the backfoot.
At stumps, Bangladesh were 41 for one, with Tamim Iqbal on 24 and Mominul Haque on one. They are still 646 runs behind. With three days left, Virat Kohli’s side will sense a strong chance of victory.
Earlier, the hosts began the day on a strong note with Virat Kohli (111 not out overnight) taking on paceman Taskin Ahmed, hammering him for boundaries in each of his first three overs. India were expected to build on the first day’s total of 356/3 but the way they did it, thrashing the hapless bowlers in the first hour, left Bangladesh in a daze.
They made 121 in 31 overs of the first session to go to lunch at 477/4. Kohli, who survived a close leg-before call prior to lunch, shared a 222-run partnership with Ajinkya Rahane, who made 82.
Kohli got to his double century immediately after lunch, but fell leg-before to Taijul Islam soon after.
There was no reprieve for the visitors as Ashwin and Saha shared a 74-run partnership for the sixth wicket. By the time Ashwin fell, caught at slip off Mehedi Hasan Miraz, the damage was done as India had gone past the 550-run mark.
Wicketkeeper Saha, who is making a comeback from injury, which forced him out of two Tests against England, had to perform to ward off the threat posed by Parthiv Patel, who had done well as his replacement. But Saha snatched the opportunity, getting to his second Test century.
With Ravindra Jadeja, Saha plundered runs as Bangladesh made error after error, dropping and misjudging catches. The duo put up an unbeaten stand of 129. Jadeja got to his fifty and celebrated it with his customary sword show. Next ball, Saha reached his ton before Kohli declared.
In the hour after tea, India made 67 runs in 13 overs.
Bangladesh openers Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar looked comfortable as they saw off the new ball. With eight minutes to go, Umesh Yadav removed Sarkar for 15, getting him caught behind.
