Chittagong, January 20: A brilliant ton by Gautam Gambhir put India in the driver’s seat against Bangladesh as the hosts were left struggling at 67/2 at stumps on Day 4, still needing another 348 runs to win.
The visitors started the day from their overnight score of 122/1 and went on to declare the innings at a mammoth 413/8, thanks largely to centurion Gautam Gambhir (116) and half-tons from VVS Laxman (69 not out) and Amit Mishra (50). For Bangladesh, skipper Shakib Al Hassan and Mahmudullah took two wickets each.
Chasing a target of 415 to win, Bangladesh suffered a couple of blows before stumps as Imrul Kayes (1) and Shahriar Nafees (21) were removed by Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma respectively.
Morning Session
Gautam Gambhir slammed yet another half-ton in Test cricket soon after play started on the fourth day.
The batsman, however, got a reprieve soon after as he was dropped by Imrul Kayes at short-leg off the bowling of Shakib-Al-Hasan.
Amit Mishra, at the other end, was also looking in good touch as the duo powered India past the 150-run mark.
After scoring his first half-ton in Test cricket and adding 98 runs with Gambhir to help India get off to a solid star, Mishra was sent back to the pavilion by Mahmudullah.
Mishra holed out to Tamim Iqbal as he charged down the wicket and tried to clear mid-off but mistimed the shot.
A little while later, after scoring a brilliant ton, Gautam Gambhir holed out to Shahriar Nafis off the bowling of Shafiul Islam as India looked to step on the gas and pile on the runs before setting a competitive target for Bangladesh.
Gambhir departed for 116 as he attempted a cut off a short and wide delivery but miscued it to third man, where Nafis made no mistake.
Soon after, the visitors received another blow as Rahul Dravid was run-out while attempting a quick single. Dravid’s 24 included 3 boundaries.
Despite losing the wickets of Mishra, Gambhir and Dravid in the morning session, India went in to lunch comfortably placed at 259/4, leading by 260 runs.
Post-Lunch Session
The visitors lost another wicket in the form of Sachin Tendulkar soon after play commenced in the post-lunch session. Tendulkar, who scored 16 including 2 boundaries, was trapped plumb in front of the wickets by Rubel Hossain.
Laxman and Yuvraj Singh took the score past the 300-run mark. Yuvraj, who came in at the fall of Tendulkar’s wicket scored swiftly.
Yuvraj became the sixth Indian wicket to fall as he miscued a drive to short cover where Mohammad Ashraful made no mistake. Yuvraj made 25.
–Agencies