On the back of stunning centuries from Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, India cemented their dominant standing at the end of the third day’s play in the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai. The two stellar innings enabled India to declare their second innings with a gigantic lead of 514 runs, giving them more than two and a half days to enforce a result in their favor. Despite a more improved batting display from Bangladesh compared to their first innings, the tourists found themselves struggling at 146/4 by stumps, with Ravichandran Ashwin starring as the chief wicket-taker.
Having not taken any wickets in the first innings, Ashwin returned with renewed vigor and capitalized expertly on the assistance the pitch started to offer as the match progressed. Before Ashwin’s interventions, Bangladesh’s openers, Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam had given the visitors’ camp a glimmer of hope with a confident 62-run opening partnership. The surface seemed benign, allowing the duo to time their strokes effectively against Indian pacers Mohammad Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah.
However, the partnership was broken when Zakir Hasan nicked a delivery from Bumrah and an alert Yashasvi Jaiswal made no mistake at gully. Sensing an opportunity, Ashwin then began to work his magic through tantalizing lines and judiciously mixing turn and bounce, particularly effective against the Bangladeshi left-handers. His proficiency was on full display when he caught Shadman at midwicket and then delivered a beautifully flighted off-break to bowl Mominul Haque, which left him completely bamboozled.
Mushfiqur Rahim looked to counterattack, aggressively taking on Ashwin, including a lofted six, but his response was short-lived as he mistimed another big shot and was comfortably caught at mid-on. With the threat of early darkness forcing a premature end to the day’s play, Bangladesh faced a daunting task with India firmly in the ascendancy.
The platform for India’s commendable position was built in the first two sessions of the day, where Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant dominated proceedings. The third day commenced on a wet note with overcast conditions, but play started on time despite heavy rains overnight and early in the morning. Pant set the tone with a vigorous pull shot for a boundary off Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and continued with another controlled pull, symptomatic of his aggressive yet mindful approach.
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Starting his innings with caution, Shubman Gill gradually found his rhythm and smacked Mehidy for two sixes to bring up a fine half-century. With Pant joining the party, their partnership flourished, propelling India’s lead past the 350-run mark. The dynamic duo meticulously worked through the initial hour, amassing a steady 48 runs off 15 overs, before Pant picked up the pace, reaching his fifty with a series of well-crafted shots.
Their synergy was evident as they made the most of loose deliveries. Gill and Pant executed a blend of aggression and elegance, with Gill driving a slow, short ball from Hasan Mahmud for a four and Pant responding with a lofted boundary off Mehidy. The milestone of a fifty-run partnership accelerated their command over the game, underscored by Gill clearing long-on for his third six.
Innovative stroke play continued to flourish after the century stand, as Pant resorted to his unconventional yet highly effective shots, including a reverse-sweep off Shakib Al Hasan. Bolstered by an encouraging message from the dressing room, Pant switched gears to cruise through the 80s and 90s. He punctuated his innings with a flurry of boundaries, bringing up a memorable sixth Test century, marked by explosive shots and strategic placements. His magnificent knock came to an end when he was caught and bowled by Mehidy, but not before putting India in a commanding position.
Gill, meanwhile, continued to play fluently, clipping his way to his fifth Test hundred. As he reached the century mark, India declared their innings with an hour left in the second session, leaving Bangladesh under immense pressure.
Brief scores at the end of Day 3 read India 376 & 287/4 declared (Shubman Gill 119*, Rishabh Pant 109) leading Bangladesh 149 & 146/4 (Najmul Hossain Shanto 51; R Ashwin 3-63) by a massive 357 runs. As the match heads into its final stages, India is firmly in control and poised for a convincing victory.