Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant showcased brilliant fifties and constructed an unbroken 138-run partnership, propelling India further towards dominance in the first Test match against Bangladesh, held in Chennai. In a powerful display at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Gill remained unbeaten at 86, marking his fourth successive fifty-plus score in the second innings, while Pant was not out on 82. Their efforts saw India reach 205 for 3 at the end of lunch on Day 3, further extending their lead to a formidable 432 runs.
The day began under overcast weather conditions, but despite the overnight and early morning rains, play commenced on time. Pant got India off the mark with an impressive pull shot off Mehidy Hasan Miraz for a boundary, quickly following it up with a controlled pull shot off Hasan Mahmud for his second four of the day. On the other hand, Gill started cautiously, maintaining a watchful eye on the deliveries. However, he soon accelerated as he stepped out and struck two magnificent sixes off Mehidy Hasan, achieving his well-earned half-century. With these powerful shots, the duo raised their fifty-run stand and propelled India’s lead beyond the 350-mark.
During the first hour of play, India managed to add 48 runs in 15 overs, with Pant contributing another four from Mehidy Hasan’s delivery. Pant’s cautious yet tactical approach saw him reach his fifty close to 30 minutes into the second hour. Having started the day at 12 off 13 deliveries, Pant required 88 balls to get to his half-century. The partnership between Gill and Pant capitalized on every loose delivery they encountered, with Gill elegantly dispatching a slow, short delivery from Mahmud for a four. Pant showcased his prowess by stepping out and playing an exquisite inside-out shot off Mehidy Hasan for another boundary.
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Gill continued his aggressive stance, coming down the track to almost clear the long-on boundary for his third six. Meanwhile, Pant executed a brilliant reverse-sweep off Shakib Al Hasan to notch another boundary, also raising the century stand. There was a noticeable strategic shift as Pant moved into higher gear, promptly punching a delivery from Mahmud for a boundary and following up with a lap shot for a six. Gill mirrored this aggressive approach, driving a wide full-toss from Shakib through the cover for another four.
Bangladesh’s woes were compounded when their skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto put down a catch, offering Pant a crucial reprieve. Seizing the opportunity, Pant struck two more fours off Shakib Al Hasan despite it being the last over before lunch, asserting India’s command as they dominated the proceedings.
Reflecting on the earlier part of the match, India’s first innings total of 376 and the subsequent commanding performance of their bowlers bowled out Bangladesh for a mere 149, laying a solid foundation for their lead. Their spinners and pace attack worked in tandem to dismantle Bangladesh’s batting lineup efficiently.
Brief scores for the match stood as follows: India with 376 and 205/3 (Shubman Gill 86*, Rishabh Pant 82*; Nahid Rana 1-21) led Bangladesh 149 by a significant 432 runs. The day belonged unequivocally to the Indian batsmen, who put on an exhibition of composed yet aggressive batting, further solidifying their position in the match.
As the match progresses, all eyes will be on Gill and Pant to see if they can convert their resilient fifties into hundreds, while also adding more runs to India’s towering lead. The Bangladeshi bowlers will need to find a way to break this partnership and make early inroads if they hope to stay and fight in the match. However, with the way things stand, India appears to be firmly in control, aiming to consolidate their dominance and potentially secure victory within the remaining days of the Test match.