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BSP-28
CRICKET-BD-IND-RAHIM
India close in on victory amid Mushfiqur’s resistance
KOLKATA, Nov 23, 2019 (BSS)-Mushfiqur Rahim prevented Bangladesh from being red-faced as he came up with a stubborn batting performance to help the side take their maiden day-night Test against India to third day when a two-day finish of the game looked highly likely.
The diminutive man survived a hostile Ishant Sharma, who had figures of 4-39 following his 5-22 in first innings and stood tall against some devastating bowling of red-hot Indian fast bowlers to remain unbeaten on 59.
Thanks to his brave effort, Bangladesh ended the second day on 152-6 at Eden Gardens here on Saturday.
The visitors still need 89 runs to make India batting for the second time.
India captain Virat Kohli struck a sublime 136 as India declared their first innings on 347-9 with a lead of 241, sensing that the fast bowlers would get considerable amount of swing and bounce under lights.
His decision to declare the innings proved preciously right as the fast bowlers, led by Ishant Sharma, sliced the top order in a hostile bowling.
A humiliating defeat in just two days was on the cards after Bangladesh, who was bowled out for 106 in first innings, found them in a state of embarrassment, being reduced to 13-4 in their second innings.
In a venomous bowling with new ball, Ishant dismissed Shadman Islam and skipper Mominul Haque, both for naught.
Mominul who also got out on 0 in first innings, became the second Bangladesh captain after Habibul Bashar Sumon and overall 24th captain to get a pair in Test. And that too on his captaincy debut series.
Mohammad Mithun survived a nasty hit on his head by an Ishant Sharma bouncer, which scared the team management for not only about his condition but also for a concussion replacement.
With Bangladesh already replacing two players for concussion issue, they have just one non-injured player in the squad in Mustafizur Rahman.
However, Mithun after a brief treatment started batting but could only make 6. Imrul Kayes also edged one to Kohli at slip off an Ishant delivery before Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah came up with the resistance that needed to take the match to third days, let alone a thinking of surviving.
Mushfiqur survived twice on 36 and 59 as he reviewed successfully to overturn the umpire’s decision.
He and Mahmudullah put on a 68-run partnership after which the situation worsened more when the latter retired hurt with a hamstring injury. He scored 37.
Substitute of Liton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz came in and even dared to hit Mohammed Shami a six but Ishant dismissed him to further raise the prospect of two-day victory.
However Mushfiqur found an able support in Nayeem Hasan’s substitute Taijul Islam, whose dismissal off Yadav delivery brought an end to the eventful day.
Yadav finished with 2-40.
Earlier, India’s declaration came hour after the lunch session as India lost four wickets for 33, including Kohli.
Watching Bangladeshi pacers extracting swing and bounce under light with second new ball, Kohli was prompted to declare the innings
Cheteshwar Pujara made 55 while Ajinkya Rahane scored 51 to complement Kholi’s century, what was his 20th ton as a captain.
Resuming the day on 174-3, overnight unbeaten batsman Kohli and his deputy Ajinkya Rahane comfortably dealt with the Bangladeshi bowlers before Taijul produced the breakthrough out of nothing, dismissing Rahane for 51.
Kohli was solid throughout the innings as he even took the good deliveries with disdain before tucking one past square-leg for doubles off Taijul delivery for his 20th Test century as captain.
Thereby he became the first batsman for his country to hit century in their maiden day-night Test.
As Kohli looked set for yet another double century, it needed an excellent diving catch from Taijul at deep square leg to take him out. By then he struck 18 fours in his 194 bal-136.
After the dismissal of Kohli, Bangladesh pacers Al-Amin and Abu Jayed came up with fire with second new ball to demolish Indian lower order.
Al-Amin and Ebadot claimed three wickets apiece while Abu Jayed Rahi picked up two.
BSS/SMP/MMA/2119hrs