Pant misses century, Indian team misses taking huge lead in first innings
Rishabh Pant, who rescued the Indian team from early trouble, missed a century by seven runs and the team missed out on a huge first innings lead. Bangladesh made a comeback in the last session on the second day of the second cricket Test on Friday, allowing India to take a lead of just 87 runs in the first innings. In response to Bangladesh’s first innings score of 227, the Indian team was bowled out for 314 in the first innings. At the end of the second day’s play, the hosts were seven without loss. Najmul Hussain Shanto was playing five and Zakir Hussain scored two runs.
Earlier, after the dismissals of Pant and Shreyas Iyer, the Indian team could not take a huge lead. After tea, India lost six wickets by adding 90 runs and Shakib Al Hasan took four of them. Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam gave away 74 runs. Took four wickets. Pant scored 93 runs in 104 balls while Shreyas Iyer scored 87 runs in 105 balls. Both scored 159 runs in the fifth wicket partnership. After this, Bangladesh captain Shakib took four wickets for 79 runs and did not allow India to take a big lead. Playing on their yesterday’s score of 19 runs without loss, India today scored 78. Added 295 runs in 3 overs.
Pant hit five sixes in his innings, of which two were hit by Taijul Islam, two by Mehidy Hasan Miraj and one by Shakib Al Hasan. He also hit seven fours in the innings. He was the first batsman to be dismissed in the last session and was caught by Miraj behind the wicket to Nurul Hasan. Shakib made Axar Patel (four) the first victim and took the second wicket in the form of Iyer. Iyer was lbw out in the 73rd over and hit ten fours and two sixes in his innings. Shakib completed four wickets by sending Ravichandran Ashwin (12) and Mohammad Siraj (seven) to the pavilion.
Earlier in the second session, India lost the fourth wicket for 94 runs when Kohli was sent to the pavilion by Taskin Ahmed. After this, Pant played the role of facilitator of the innings. Iyer played well with him and completed his second half-century in the series. Captain KL Rahul’s poor form continued unabated in the first session as Bangladesh’s Kaislam removed India’s opening three wickets for 86 runs. Rahul (10) and Shubman Gill (20) were lbw by Islam. Islam took three wickets for 24 runs in 13 overs in the first session.
Cheteshwar Pujara scored 24 runs and was caught by Mominul Haque at forward short leg. Rahul, who made a mistake in reading the pitch on the first day, had to bear the brunt of playing very defensively. He didn’t look comfortable even once in his 45 balls at the crease. Gill, on the other hand, looked more comfortable though Taijul continued to bowl good length deliveries to him. Rahul was lbw in an attempt to play defensively. The DRS decision also went in favor of Bangladesh. Gill lost his wicket in an attempt to play a sweep shot. Pujara looked confident but keeping wickets on a turning ball was difficult.
