ZCZC
BSP-25
CRICKET-IND-BD-TEA
Bangladesh fights to avoid defeat in two days
KOLKATA, Nov 23, 2019 (BSS)-A humiliating defeat in just two days in their maiden day-night Test is on the cards after Bangladesh was reduced to 7-2 in their second innings at tea on day two at Eden Gardens here on Saturday.
The Tigers still need 234-run to make India batting for the second time in the game.
Mohammad Mithun was batting on 4, after surviving a nasty hit on his head by an Ishant Sharma bouncer, which scared the team management for not only about his condition but also for a concussion replacement.
With Bangladesh already replacing two players for concussion issue, they have just one non-injured player in the squad in Mustafizur Rahman.
However Mithun after a brief treatment started batting till tea, along with Imrul Kayes who was on 3.
Ishant Sharma (2-3) took two Bangladeshi wickets with a hostile spell, taking out Shadman Islam and skipper Mominul Haque, both for naught.
Mominul who also got out on 0 in first innings, became the second Bangladesh captain after Habibul Bashar Sumon and overall 23rd captain to get a pair in Test. And that too on his captaincy debut series.
Earlier, Virat Kohli struck a brilliant 136, his 27th century as India declared on 347-9 in its first innings, taking a handy 241-run lead against Bangladesh in the first day-night Test of the both sides.
The declaration came an hour after the lunch session of day two as India lost four wickets for 33, including Kohli. The Bangladesh would have to bat at least 44 overs on the day.
With Bangladeshi pacers extracting swing and bounce under light with second new ball, Kohli was prompted to declare the innings
Bangladesh was bowled out for 106 in their first innings.
Cheteshwar Pujara made 55 while Ajinkya Rahane scored 51 to complement Kholi’s century, what was his 20th ton as a captain.
Bangladesh was bowled out for paltry 106 in its first innings.
Resuming the day on 174-3, overnight unbeaten batsman Kohli and his deputy Ajinkya Rahane comfortably dealt with the Bangladeshi bowlers who looked jaded like their batsmen.
But left-arm spinner Taijul Islam, the substitute of off-spinner Nayeem Hasan, who retired hurt with concussion issue on day one, produced the breakthrough out of nothing, dismissing Rahane for 51.
After hitting his 22nd half-century, Rahane was out by modest a delivery as he was too early of his cut shot, that brought the 99-run partnership with Kohli for the fourth wicket stand to an end.
Kohli was solid throughout the innings as he even took the good deliveries with disdain before tucking one past square-leg for doubles off Taijul delivery for his 20th Test century as captain.
Thereby he became the first batsman for his country to hit century in their maiden day-night Test.
After the century, he came harsh on Abu Jayed Rahi, against whom he milked 19 runs including four straight boundaries.
As Kohli looked set for yet another double century, it needed an excellent diving catch from Taijul at deep square leg to take him out. By then he struck 18 fours in his 194 bal-136.
After the dismissal of Kohli, Bangladesh pacers Al-Amin and Abu Jayed came up with fire with second new ball to demolish Indian lower order.
Al-Amin and Ebadot claimed three wickets apiece while Abu Jayed Rahi picked up two.
BSS/SMP/AU/18:20 hrs