Despite Bangladesh’s resilience and grit, India wrapped up a comprehensive but hard-earned 208-run victory on the fifth day of the one-off Test match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Bangladesh were bowled out for 250 in the extended second session. (HIGHLIGHTS)
The win, which makes Virat Kohli India’s third most successful Test skipper, extended India’s unbeaten streak to 19 Test matches which had begun on their tour of Sri Lanka in August, 2015. (SCORECARD)
At home, they have been unbeaten in 20 Tests now (nine this season). This streak, which goes back to early 2013, now equals their 1977-80 run. However, while they won just six back then, they have registered 17 in this current streak.
It was always going to be tough for Bangladesh to halt India’s run when they entered the final day at 103/3, having to bat out the remaining 90 of the 125 overs given to them in fourth innings.
Hopes of thwarting India were jolted in the first session itself when two of their batting mainstays, Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan, were dismissed.
Shakib fell to Jadeja in only the third over of the day after adding just one to his overnight score of 21. Jadeja hit the rough and the ball kicked off, hitting Shakib’s gloves to land in Cheteshwar Pujara’s hands at short leg. Bangladesh had added just three to their overnight score.
{{/usCountry}}Shakib fell to Jadeja in only the third over of the day after adding just one to his overnight score of 21. Jadeja hit the rough and the ball kicked off, hitting Shakib’s gloves to land in Cheteshwar Pujara’s hands at short leg. Bangladesh had added just three to their overnight score.
{{/usCountry}}His dismissal brought in first innings centurion, Mushfiqur Rahim and together with Mahmudullah, he thwarted the Indian attack for a while.
There was nothing in the pitch for the spinners apart from rare rough patches which didn’t trouble the batsmen as the two added 56 for the fifth wicket to stretch the hosts.
Mahmudullah, who had been out of form, slowly worked his way back into it. After seeing off the initial phase, the duo began to play shots. However, in the quest for aggression, Mushfiqur fell. The Bangladesh skipper, who has been regularly stepping out to tackle spinners, went for one shot too many, trying to hit Ashwin over covers, but managing to only find a fielder.
Mahmudullah then added 51 runs with Sabbir Rahman, who too wasn’t scared of taking on the spinners, hammering Ashwin for a six and four. But after lunch Sabbir was dismissed by Ishant Sharma. Mahmudullah also departed to a pull shot off Ishant and it was only a matter of time before the tail wilted.
Mehedi Hasan Miraz ensured India had to work hard, sharing a 14-overs long partnership (that fetched just 17 runs) with Kamrul Islam Rabbi. But Jadeja ended Mehedi’s vigil and he also took Taijul’s wicket. Ashwin took the last wicket of Taskin Ahmed as India completed the victory.