Bangladesh Begin Strong Chase of 515 Following Centuries by Pant and Gill
Bangladesh Begin Strong Chase of 515 Following Centuries by Pant and Gill
Bangladesh were quick to get to 56 for no loss after India declared their innings.
Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant both scored centuries and built an unbroken partnership of 167 runs. India declared their innings with a lead of 514 runs, giving Bangladesh a tough challenge for the final innings.
Despite the overnight and early morning rain, the match started on time under cloudy skies. Pant began India’s innings with a pull shot for four runs off Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and his second four of the day came from another pull shot off Hasan Mahmud.
Gill started cautiously but then hit two sixes off Mehidy to reach his half-century. Soon after, he and Pant raised a fifty-run partnership, and India extended their lead past 350. In the first hour, India scored 48 runs in 15 overs, with Pant hitting another four off Mehidy.
Pant reached his fifty about 30 minutes into the second hour, taking 88 balls to get there after starting the day at 12 off 13. Both players were careful, taking advantage of loose deliveries. Gill hit a slow, short ball from Mahmud for a four, and Pant played a beautiful shot off Mehidy for another boundary. Gill also hit his third six off Mehidy, just clearing the long-on boundary.
Pant hit a reverse sweep off Shakib Al Hasan for a four, bringing up a century partnership. It seemed like he got a message from the dressing room because he started playing more aggressively, hitting a boundary off Mahmud and then a six with a lap shot. Gill also played well, hitting a four off Shakib. Bangladesh’s captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, dropped a catch, giving Pant another chance. Pant then hit two more fours off Shakib just before lunch, showing India’s dominance.
After the break, Pant quickly moved through the 80s and 90s with several boundaries, reaching his sixth Test century. He was soon caught and bowled by Mehidy, but Gill continued to play well, reaching his fifth Test century. India declared their innings with about an hour left in the second session.
Bangladesh’s openers started confidently, reaching an unbeaten 56-run partnership by the break.