India sat firmly in the driver’s seat at the end of the third day’s play, thanks to stellar centuries from Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant. These crucial tons allowed India to declare their innings with a towering lead of 514 runs, leaving more than two and a half days of play in the first Test at Chennai. In pursuit, Bangladesh managed a better batting show than their first innings but still ended the day struggling at 146/4, with R Ashwin emerging as the chief destroyer.
Coming off a sublime hundred with the bat, Ashwin had gone wicketless in the first innings. However, as the match progressed, he began to exploit the conditions effectively. The day didn’t start with immediate menace as Bangladesh openers Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam put together a formidable 62-run partnership. The pitch seemed benign, and the pair managed to handle India’s pace duo of Mohammad Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah with confidence. The highlight of their stand included some thoughtful drives and strokes that showcased their intent to fight back in what had been a largely one-sided Test match so far.
Eventually, it was Bumrah who made the breakthrough when Hasan edged one to the reliable hands of Yashasvi Jaiswal stationed at gully. This dismissal opened the door for Ashwin, who began to weave his magic with tantalizing lines, subtle variations in pace, and the occasional lethal turn and bounce, particularly troubling the left-handers in the Bangladesh lineup.
Ashwin first removed Shadman, getting him caught at midwicket, then bowled Mominul Haque with a classical off-break that beat the bat magnificently. Mushfiqur Rahim tried to counterattack, even hitting Ashwin for a six over mid-on, but his aggression led to his downfall as he mistimed another lofted shot and was caught at mid-on. As Bangladesh’s batting order began to crumble under pressure, bad light offered them a temporary respite, forcing an early end to the day’s proceedings.
Despite the curtailed session in the evening, India’s commanding position was built earlier in the day through the sensational batting displays of Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant. The duo etched a 167-run partnership that had Bangladesh helplessly chasing the ball around the field. Despite overnight and early morning rainfall, the play resumed on time under overcast conditions.
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Pant was the initial aggressor, dispatching Mehidy Hasan Miraz for a boundary with a pull shot. It was a statement of intent from the flamboyant wicketkeeper-batsman. Gill, on the other hand, took a more watchful approach initially but soon accelerated after stepping down the track to hit Mehidy for two magnificent sixes, reaching his half-century in style. The fifty partnership was brought up quickly, and India’s lead ballooned past 350 as both batsmen kept the scoreboard ticking over.
Pant reached his half-century shortly into the second hour of play, having taken 88 balls to get there. This measured approach by both batsmen paid off as they capitalized on any loose deliveries. Pant executed a reverse-sweep against Shakib Al Hasan to bring up the hundred-run stand, further asserting India’s dominance. A switch seemingly flipped in the dressing room as Pant began to attack more fearlessly, hitting Mahmud for a boundary followed by a lap shot for a six. Additionally, his aggressive stroke play continued as he punished Shakib in the last over before Lunch, giving India the upper hand.
Returning from the break, Pant blazed through the 80s and 90s with a series of boundaries, culminating in a memorable sixth Test century upon his return to the format after a two-year hiatus. His dismissal came soon after, a caught and bowled by Mehidy, but by then he’d already done massive damage. Gill continued unabated, bringing up his fifth Test ton with fluent stroke play, pushing India into an unassailable lead.
India’s declaration came with about an hour of play left in the second session. This allowed Ashwin and his fellow bowlers enough time to dent Bangladesh’s response.
Brief Scores: India 376 & 287/4 decl (Shubman Gill 119*, Rishabh Pant 109), Bangladesh 149 & 146/4 (Najmul Hossain Shanto 51; R Ashwin 3-63). India leads by 357 runs.