India vs Bangladesh, 2nd Test- Who Said What

Bangladesh weren’t the favourites in the Test series against India and the result of 2-0 doesn’t spring a surprise. There was a lot of excitement prior to the pink-ball Test at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata and it took a bit over three days for the game to end. Virat Kohli’s India won the match by an innings and 48 runs. The triumph also helped the hosts extend their winning streak to seven matches.

First day put India on the driver’s seat

After Bangladesh won the toss, and elected to bat, very few aspects went in favour of the visiting team. Ishant Sharma rain riot, picking up five wickets and bowling the opposition out for 106 in a mere 30.3 overs. Shadman Islam top scored for the Tigers with 29 runs off 52 balls. Bangladesh had more reasons to worry as Nayeem Hasan and Liton Das were ruled out after suffering concussion.

Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan came in as replacements with the latter only allowed to bat. In their first innings, India amassed 347 runs in 89.4 overs Virat Kohli scored 136 with 18 fours and fizzled the spirit out of the Tigers’ team. Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane scored superlative half-centuries and guided the home team to a lead of 341 runs after which India declared their innings.

Mushfiqur’s fight goes in vain

For the Tigers, the pace duo of Al Amin Hossain and Ebadot Hossain picked up three wickets each. Abu Jayed Rahi, who impressed in Indore, picked up a couple of wickets. With a humongous trail, Bangladesh lost four wickets early. Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim put on some resistance before the former had to go off after he tweaked a hamstring muscle while taking a quick single.

Mahmudullah went off on 39 and never returned to bat. Mushfiqur fought hard, scoring 74 off 96 with 13 fours. It goes without saying that he was Bangladesh’s best batsmen in the series. Umesh Yadav dismissed him early on Day 3 and then it was only a matter of time before the game ended. Ishant finished with nine wickets in the match while Umesh notched a fifer in the second innings.

Mominul Haque, the Bangladesh skipper, said

Definitely a bit concerned and it’s very disappointing for everyone. We have to learn from the last two games and not repeat mistakes. I think the Pink Ball was challenging especially because it moved a lot with the new ball. If I look back, there were positives. Ebadot bowled really well and Mushy (bhai) and Liton showed what they can do with the bat. Indore was a dry wicket and I don’t think it would make any difference whether we batted first or bowled first.

Virat Kohli, the Indian captain, said

Amazing. The numbers have only gotten better. We didn’t expect so many people would turn up today and it sets a great example for the point I made about Test centres. Only your belief can make you win. With the way these guys are bowling now, they can pick up wickets anywhere. Even the spinners. These guys are very hungry and I feel we are in the right kind of space and everyone is enjoying playing in this team.

The idea is to establish yourself in the middle and we have learnt to stand up and give it back. It all started with Dada’s team and we are just carrying it forward. We are reaping the rewards for all the hardwork we put in the last 3-4 years. I was thinking if they announce me as the Man of the Match, I should give it to one of the bowlers.

Ishant Sharma, the Player of the Match and Player of the Series, said

Shami told me to give him whatever I’m carrying in my pocket. I’m just hitting the right areas and sticking to my plans. We developed that in the last game and we had chats with bowling coach and batting coach. I bowled that ball deliberately and I did the same this game. When we started it didn’t swing and last night it swung and we adjusted to the conditions very well.