India vs Bangladesh: First Test: Day 4

India is smelling victory in the first Test against Bangladesh at Chittagong. With a day remaining, the home side is struggling at 67/2, chasing an improbable target of 414 for a victory.

Whirlwind starts by Gautam Gambhir and nightwatchman Amit Mishra set the match for India in the morning of Day 4. Gambhir treated the Bangladeshi attack with utmost disdain notching up his fifth century in 5 consecutive Test matches off only 118 balls. This is a rare feat and Gambhir becomes the first Indian batsman and only the fourth in the world to have achieved that feat. Gambhir joins the list behind Don Bradman, Jacques Kallis and Mohd Yousuf who all have scored five centuries in consecutive Test matches.

Brief Scores:

India (1st innings): 243
Bangladesh (1st innings): 242
India (2nd Innings): 413/8 D (Gambhir 116*, Laxman 69*, Mishra 50)
Bangladesh (2nd Innings): 67/2
India vs Bangladesh: First Test: Day 4

India is smelling victory in the first Test against Bangladesh at Chittagong. With a day remaining, the home side is struggling at 67/2, chasing an improbable target of 414 for a victory.

Whirlwind starts by Gautam Gambhir and nightwatchman Amit Mishra set the match for India in the morning of Day 4. Gambhir treated the Bangladeshi attack with utmost disdain notching up his fifth century in 5 consecutive Test matches off only 118 balls. This is a rare feat and Gambhir becomes the first Indian batsman and only the fourth in the world to have achieved that feat. Gambhir joins the list behind Don Bradman, Jacques Kallis and Mohd Yousuf who all have scored five centuries in consecutive Test matches.

But most importantly, four of Gambhir’s five tons came in the second innings, when India needed the most. With Mishra, Gambhir teamed up with a 98 runs partnership in quick time to propel the innings. Mishra also notched up his maiden test 50, before VVS Laxman and others went after the Bangladeshi bowlers on a leather hunt. Rahul Dravid, who was looking in good touch, was unlucky to be run out from a direct throw at 24. Laxman chipped in with an unbeaten classy 69 to take India to 413/8, setting the chase for Bangladesh.

If the weather permits – which surely is favouring India in the last two days as there were no major disruptions or delays – it wouldn’t be a difficult job for the Indian bowlers to bowl out Bangladesh. Already two wickets are in the pocket, meaning Zaheer and company will be getting the full 90 overs to snap up the next eight.
Let’s hope, there isn’t any rain or bad light on Day 5.

Brief Scores:

India (1st innings): 243
Bangladesh (1st innings): 242
India (2nd Innings): 413/8 D (Gambhir 116*, Laxman 69*, Mishra 50)
Bangladesh (2nd Innings): 67/2