In a dramatic display of cricket prowess, Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant each registered spectacular centuries, guiding India to a formidable position against Bangladesh. Their remarkable 167-run partnership led to India declaring with an imposing lead of 514 runs, setting the stage for a daunting challenge for Bangladesh in the final innings.
The day began under overcast skies, with play commencing on time despite overnight and early morning rain showers. Rishabh Pant was quick to set the tone, pulling a shot off Mehidy Hasan Miraz for a boundary, soon followed by another controlled pull shot off Hasan Mahmud. Pant’s confident stride was matched by Shubman Gill, who, starting watchfully, eventually took on Mehidy Hasan Miraz with two towering sixes to bring up a celebrated half-century.
Afterward, India managed to extend their lead beyond the 350-run mark, with a fifty-run stand raised promptly. During the first hour, despite Pant striking another boundary off Mehidy, India played cautiously and accumulated 48 runs in 15 overs. Pant reached his half-century about 30 minutes into the second hour, having taken 88 balls to get there. Starting the day with only 12 runs off 13 balls, Pant adopted a patient and watchful approach.
Gill, capitalizing on a loose delivery from Mahmud, added further pressure with a quick boundary, closely followed by Pant who made headlines with an elegant inside-out shot off Mehidy that sent the ball racing across the field. Adding to the excitement, Gill continued his assault on Mehidy, narrowly clearing the long-on boundary for yet another six.
Pant then executed a stunning reverse-sweep off Shakib Al Hasan to bring up the century partnership. Seemingly receiving a signal from the dressing room, Pant shifted gears and played a series of aggressive shots, thereby accelerating India’s score. A punched boundary followed by a lap-shot for six off Mahmud had the crowd roaring.
. Soon after, Gill converted a delivery from Shakib into a full-toss, skillfully playing it wide off cover for another four. Adding to Bangladesh’s woes, their captain Najmul Hossain Shanto dropped a crucial catch, granting Pant a reprieve.
Not deterred by the miss, Pant capitalized on the opportunity, striking two more boundaries off Shakib, definitively establishing India’s dominance right before the lunch break. Post-lunch, Pant maintained his aggressive stance, rapidly moving through the 80s and 90s with a cascade of boundaries to reach his sixth Test century. His remarkable feat marked a significant return to Test cricket after a two-year hiatus.
However, Pant’s magnificent innings came to an end soon after, falling to a caught-and-bowled by Mehidy. Unfazed, Shubman Gill continued his masterclass, clipping his way to his fifth Test century as India meticulously piled on the misery against Bangladesh.
The Indian team’s declaration came with about an hour of play left in the second session, setting a monumental challenge for the Bangladesh side. Despite the odds, Bangladesh’s openers began their innings with commendable confidence, managing an unbeaten 56-run stand by the time they headed for the break.
India’s first innings tallied 376 runs, followed by 287/4 declared in their second innings, thanks to the stellar knocks from Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant. On the other hand, Bangladesh, who were bundled out for 149 in their first innings, have an uphill task in their hands but showed some resilience with an unbeaten start in their second innings, concluding the day at 56/0.
In summary, India currently enjoys a 467-run lead over Bangladesh, putting them in a commanding position with Bangladesh requiring a Herculean effort to save the match. With two days left in the match, the cricketing world’s eyes will be closely watching how this battle unfolds.