ZCZC
BSP-16
CRICKET-BD-IND-2ND DAY
Agarwal double ton flays listless Tigers
INDORE, Nov 15, 2019 (BSS)- Opener Mayank Agarwal smashed an eye-catching
double century, which his second in just eight match, as India kept them in a
position of utter dominance against a listless Bangladesh at Indore Test on
Friday.
Agarwal’s 243, his second double ton in the last five innings, helped India
to end the second day of the first Test at Holkar Stadium on 493-6,
stretching the lead to an imposing 343 runs.
India added 407 runs on day two, plundering 190 runs in the last session
in a six-hitting spree, to leave Bangladesh in a position of a humiliating
innings defeat.
Before the bails were drawn for the day, Ravindra Jadeja was batting on
60, with Umesh Yadav on 25.
Agarwal’s double-century was more punishing for Bangladesh because of the
life he got on 32 on day one when Imrul Kayes dropped him at first slip. He
utilized the life with full effect, sending the Bangladeshi bowlers at
receiving end with his boundary-hitting spree.
He overall smashed 28 fours and eight sixes in a knock in which he faced
330 deliveries.
Bangladesh was dismissed for 150 in its first innings, showing miserable
batting show against a pumped-up Indian bowling attack.
But Abu Jayed Rahi, the only shining spot of entire Bangladesh team, gave
them a glimpse of hope when the second day began.
Rahi displayed an intriguing show of swing bowling to dismiss overnight
unbeaten batsman Cheteshwar Pujara for 52 after India began the day on 86-1.
Just an over later, Rahi swung another one nicely to trap India’s captain
Virat Kohli leg-before for 0, to give him his 10th duck in the Test career
and second in this year.
With India at 119-3, adrift of Bangladesh by 31 runs in the first innings,
the visitors sensed a golden chance to claw back into the match.
Agarwal and Rahane shattered the hopes by systematically tormenting the
bowlers and kept the visitors wicket-less in whole post-lunch session.
While Rahane’s game was based on pure classical shots, Agarwal just had
taken Bangladeshi bowlers in disdain. Showing his six-hitting prowess, in a
reminiscence of Virender Sehwag, he literally dented the confidence of
Bangladeshi bowlers, who also bowled too short and offered half-volley more
often than not.
After a wicket-less second session, Rahi again gave Bangladesh some sort
of relief when he had Rahane caught by Taijul Islam at deep point for 82,
ending a 190-run partnership between him and Agarwal for the fourth wicket.
Rahane struck nine boundaries in his 172 balls knock.
But the arrival of Jadeja inflicted more damage to Bangladesh’s ambition.
Even though Rahi was magnificent with second new ball and kept the things
tight at one end, Agarwal and Jadeja plundered other bowlers to score runs at
6 per run over after tea session.
Agarwal at this point brought up his double century, clubbing Mehidy Hasan
Miraz for a massive six over long-on. Thereafter Jadeja and Agarwal seemed to
compete for six-hitting with each other, piling a host of misery on bowlers.
And the misery went on and on before a mishit against Mehidy cost Agarwal
his wicket for 243. Agarwal who brought up his double century off 303 balls,
scored the rest of 43 runs off just 27 balls.
Pace bowler Ebadot Hossain then got the better of Wriddhiman Saha but
Jadeja and Umesh Yadav kept hitting the things to bat out Bangladesh
completely.
Jadeja struck two sixes and six fours in his 76 ball-60 not out while
Yadav smote three sixes and one four in 10 ball-25.
Rahi finished with 4-108 while Ebadot claimed 1-115.
BSS/SMP/SSS/1805 hrs