Talented opener Shubman Gill (80 not out) inched closer to his maiden Test hundred as India consolidated their lead at tea on the third day as they took on Bangladesh in the opening Test here on Friday. Gill avoided lbw decisions twice, though he took advantage of these opportunities and hit brilliant shots to take India to 140 for one at tea. Cheteshwar Pujara was playing at the other end with Gill scoring 33 runs, due to which both of them shared an unbeaten 70-run partnership for the second wicket.
India lost the only wicket in the post-lunch session in skipper KL Rahul (23) who continued his cautious batting approach. Gill played all kinds of shots including cut, slog sweep, pull and flick shot during his innings to score boundaries. Khalid Ahmed ended the 64-run partnership for the first wicket between Rahul and Gill. Rahul reached the pavilion by catching Taijul Islam standing at the fine leg boundary in an attempt to pull his short ball.
This wicket had no effect on Gill’s rhythm and he continued his aggressive game even after lunch. Gill completed his half-century in the 26th over by taking a single off off-spinner Mehdi Hasan Miraj. In the very next over, Gill hit the first six of India’s innings by sending Khalid’s short ball to the square leg boundary. While Gill was playing his shots, Pujara stood firm and calm at the other end.
Rahul and Gill continued their cautious approach at the start of the innings as India reached 36 without loss by lunch. Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan handed the ball to spinner Taijul Islam in the second over as pacer Ibadat Hossain was suffering from back pain. Gill avoids getting out lbw on a controversial DRS decision. Earlier, in reply to India’s 404, Bangladesh were bowled out for 150 in 55.5 overs in the first innings with Kuldeep Yadav taking five wickets. Kuldeep took five wickets in his innings for the third time in his career. Kuldeep, playing his first Test in 22 months, took career-best figures of five for 40. Fast bowler Mohammad Siraj took three wickets for 20 runs in 13 overs.
