🏏BD vs India - 2nd Test: Day 4: SBN Stadium, Dhaka - 22/12/22🏏 - Page 31

Bangladesh 227

India

(86.3 ov) 314

Day 2 - Session 3: India lead by 87 runs.

Current RR: 3.63

• Min. Ov. Rem: 11.3

• Last 10 ov (RR): 36/3 (3.60)

An 87-run lead for India, mainly thanks to Pant and Shreyas. Their 159-run stand after joining each other at 94 for 4 made the difference between the lead that India have and a potential deficit. Taijul bowled splendidly early on, Bangladesh created a few chances even against the successful pair but missed some. Other times, the batters got lucky but did well to capitalise on it.

Decent fightback by Bangladesh after tea as India lost their last six wickets for just 64 runs. But the damage was already done in the post-lunch session when Pant and Iyer went bonkers against some listless bowling. Both fell short of deserving centuries but their counterattacking partnership may well be the defining moment of this Test match. Shakib and Taijul sliced through the lower order who all threw their bats around a bit to get the lead past the 85-run mark.

The batters walk out. The shadows now seem to have covered the playing area but there is decent sunlight still. It will be Zakir Hasan and Shanto, the regular openers, in for the hosts. Umesh to bowl

Nine overs left, says Mohammad Isam. The light is good for now. "How has the pitch behaved so far?", asks Badri. It's slowed down but there is spin and the occasional variable bounce. Indian bowlers wouldn't mind having a crack late in the evening.

KS Bharat is currently keeping, Pant not on.

Bangladesh

(6 ov) 227 & 7/0

India

314

Day 2 - Bangladesh trail by 80 runs.

Current RR: 1.16

That is stumps on Day 2.

Shreyas Iyer: I love and thrive under challenges. (On coming in at 94 for 4) Pressure lifts me, that's the situation I wanted to be in. Pant kept me calm and composed. It was crucial. We made a stand of 170 [159] but it was important. (On chat with Pant) It wasn't an intense chat. I didn't want to disturb his focus. We tried to communicate with actions, he maintained calm and targeted the right bowlers. (On his fitness) He's okay, he had cramps. He will be strong. (On the lead) You can't judge anything as there is variable bounce and movement. The contribution of the bowlers was commendable. We need to bowl the right level and other things will take care of themselves.

5pm: Zakir and Shanto do well to negotiate five tricky overs before stumps. A bit of time taken off with a bat change (which may or may not have been a change) and tying shoelaces but they played compactly.

Day 2: Stumps - Bangladesh trail by 80 runs

IND - 314

BAN - 227 & 7/0 (6)

CRR: 1.17

The young Bangladeshi openers, Shanto and Zakir Hasan, have seen off the tricky phase under lights to head back to the pavilion unscathed but they will have a tough job in front of them when they come out to bat tomorrow. India hold the aces at present as they still have a handy 80-run lead on a pitch that is consistently playing tricks on the batters. The Indian top order couldn’t do anything substantial, courtesy Taijul Islam’s penetrative morning spell but a dynamic counter-attacking partnership of 159 for the fifth wicket between Pant and Iyer ensured that India finish Day 2 on a high! Although both missed out on their respective tons, they inflicted enough damage on the hosts who are precariously placed at the moment. The Indian bowlers have found different ways to chip away at the wickets on this tour no matter what the scenario of the game has been and will come out tomorrow with the same intent. Can the batters from the home side show resilience and breathe life into this Test or will the bowlers from the visiting side rule the roost once again? Join us tomorrow on Day 3 for another phase of riveting Test cricket!

Unadkat will be upset to find that he remained unsold in IPL.