IND v BAN, One-off Test Day 3 Review: Yadav, Sharma puts India in the driver's seat

Team India continued their good work in the one-off Test against Bangladesh at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad and reduced the visitors to at lunch on Day 3. In pursuit of a mammoth 687, Bangladesh batsmen failed to get going and lost 3 crucial wickets in the morning session to put the hosts firmly in control of the match.

Beginning the day’s play at 41/1, Bangladesh lost their opener Tamim Iqbal in the 3rd over of the day. It was a pathetic display of running between the wickets by Tamim Iqbal and Mominul Haque and it hurt them badly. As Mominul tucked a leg-side delivery from Bhuvneshwar Kumar towards the square leg region. The duo strolled for the single but suddenly realised there was a double in the making but stopped in between the wicket. Umesh running from the boundary threw the ball perfectly and Bhuvneshwar collected the ball and wiped off the bails without a fuss.

Mominul was joined by experienced Mahmudullah in the middle and the duo looked to rebuild the Bangladesh innings after two early wickets. After sharing a 20 runs partnership between each other, Mominul Haque was dismissed by Umesh Yadav with a peach of a delivery. The ball pitched in the full-length area and came back sharply to strike the pads. It was a straightforward call from the umpire as the visitors were reduced to 64/3.

Shakib-al-Hasan strode out in the middle in the company of Mahmudullah. Both looked in good touch and played some exquisite shots before another Ishant Sharma removed Mahmudullah to reduce them to 109/4. It was similar to the Mominul Haque dismissal. The ball pitched in the full-length area and jagged back sharply and thudded onto his pads. The umpire had no hesitation and gave the decision in favour of the bowler. Shakib has been joined by Mahmudullah and they would look to bat sensibly in the post lunch session to revive the Bangladesh innings.

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Shakib started off from where he left in the 1st session. Captain Mushfiqur Rahim also provided him ample support as the duo stitched together a crucial 107 runs partnership for the 6th wicket. Both played sensibly and rotated the strike along playing some exceptional shots in the process.

Shakib looked in total control of proceedings during his brisk innings of 83 of 102 deliveries. His innings was studded with 14 hits to the fence. The southpaw eventually lost his wicket in the 63rd over to Ravichandran Ashwin. He came dancing down the track but was unable to time it perfectly. The mid on fielder came running in and completed an easy catch.

Sabbir Rahman struck two fours during his brief stay but just before tea, left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja sent him back to the pavilion. It was a full-length delivery from Jadeja and Rahman attempted a sweep. He missed it completely and struck the pads. Without any hesitation, the umpire ruled him out.

Mehedi Hasan joined Rahim in the middle with Bangladesh precariously placed at 235/6. The teenager who had recently said that he considers himself as an all-rounder proved why he thought that way. The youngster showed character and gave ample support to Mushfiqur Rahim which revived the Bangladesh innings to a certain extent.

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Not a single wicket fell in the final session of the day as Rahim and Mehedi played some sensible cricket to finish the day’s play at 322/6. Mehedi looked in total control and played some delightful shots. Going by his abilities, Mehedi has all the attributes to become an exceptional all-rounder for Bangladesh in the future years.

While Rahim is batting on 81, Mehedi is unbeaten on 51. While Rahim’s innings included 12 fours, Mehedi struck 10 fours during his half-century. Umesh Yadav was the pick of the Indian bowlers who returned with figures of 2/72 in 18 overs. Ishant Sharma, Ravi Ashwin and Jadeja also chipped in with a wicket each.

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