On a morning that began under overcast skies, despite the previous night and early morning showers, India set the stage for an imposing challenge for Bangladesh. Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill took charge to construct a solid 167-run partnership, as India declared their innings with a massive lead of 514 runs, aiming to seal the match with a definitive edge.
Pant initiated the day’s proceedings with a stylish pull shot off Mehidy Hasan Miraz that raced to the boundary, signaling the aggressive intent. His second four of the day was another controlled pull, this time off Hasan Mahmud. Meanwhile, Shubman Gill, who started on a cautious note, stepped up to loft Mehidy over the ropes twice, marking his approaching half-century with authority. Together, Pant and Gill added vital runs, navigating through the overcast conditions with poise.
In the first hour of play, India managed to post 48 runs off 15 overs, with Pant contributing another crisp boundary off Mehidy, while maintaining a cautious approach. Pant’s fifty came about 30 minutes into the second hour of the day’s play, having taken 88 balls to get there after resuming the day at 12 off 13 deliveries. The duo bided their time, seizing opportunities to score with ease upon encountering any loose deliveries. Gill, unperturbed, dispatched a slow, short ball from Mahmud to the boundary and followed up with another elegant shot. Aided by Pant’s aggressive knocks, India’s partnership progressed unimpeded.
As the milestone of their century partnership beckoned, Pant brought up the landmark with a reverse-sweep off Shakib Al Hasan for a boundary.
. A palpable shift in the gameplay ensued as if signaled by the dressing room, as Pant accelerated his scoring rate, punching a delivery from Mahmud for four and executing a deft lap shot for six. Gill, not to be outdone, danced down the pitch to Shakib, converting a full toss into a four through the cover region. Adding to Bangladesh’s frustration, their captain Najmul Hossain Shanto dropped a crucial catch, giving Pant a fortunate reprieve. Pant capitalized on this, hammering two more boundaries off Shakib just before lunch, reinforcing India’s dominance.
The post-lunch session saw Pant relentlessly carving through the opposition’s bowling, quickly moving from 80s to 90s with a series of aggressive strokes. His sixth Test century was one for the record books, punctuating his return to Test cricket after a two-year hiatus. Pant’s brilliant innings concluded when he was caught and bowled by Mehidy, but by then, Gill had steered his way to his fifth Test hundred. India, now in a commanding position, declared their innings with about an hour to play in the second session, having amassed a daunting total.
With a colossal target set, Bangladesh’s openers took to the crease with a mix of determination and cautious optimism. They safely negotiated the remaining overs, setting up an unbroken 56-run partnership by the break, offering a glimmer of hope in an otherwise uphill battle.
India, who scored 376 in their first innings and declared at 287 for 4 in the second, have left Bangladesh with a challenging task. The hosts, having been bowled out for 149 in their first innings, now need to mount an extraordinary fightback to overturn a deficit of 467 runs.
Brief scores:
India 376 & 287/4 decl (Shubman Gill 119*, Rishabh Pant 109) lead Bangladesh 149 & ( 56/0) by 467 runs