Tigers in deep waters after Liton, Shakib back in hut
Just when Bangladesh's first innings was steadily finding its footing against India on Day 2 of the Chennai Test today, the dismissals of Liton Das and Shakib Al Hasan have left the Tigers on the back foot and with a mountain to climb.
The tourists are 112-8 in 36.5 overs at Tea, in reply to India's 376.
The visitors had been in tatters at 44-5 when Liton and Shakib combined to stage a recovery. Their partnership flowed smoothly, bringing up 50 runs off 90 balls, until Liton (22) lost his composure while attempting a sweep shot off Ravindra Jadeja, only to be caught out by substitute fielder Dhruv Jurel in the outfield.
Shakib soon followed suit -- his sweep shot rebounded off his boot and into the gloves of Rishabh Pant -- as Jadeja got his second wicket. Shakib scored 32 off 64 balls, including five fours.
With Bangladesh lower-order attempting to see out the final overs before Tea, last recognised batter Mehedi Hasan Miraz's decision to rotate strike in the third ball of the final over before session eventually backfired as the wily Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Hasan Mahmud with Virat Kohli grabbing a sitter in the slip cordon.
Bangladesh rocked early in 1st innings; face follow-on threat
Bangladesh's reply to India's 376 began in miserable fashion on the second day of the first Test at Chennai's M. A. Chidambaram Stadium today.
The Tigers are five down for 44, after losing captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (20) and batting mainstay Mushfiqur Rahim (8) within the span of 10 balls after lunch, with both batters caught at second slip off the bowling of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj, respectively.
From here on, the visitors will be looking to reach 176 to avoid the follow-on.
Before Lunch, the Bangladesh top-order spoiling the good work done by the pacers earlier in the morning session.
All three wickets to fall -- openers Shadman Islam (2), Zakir Hasan (3) and experienced Mominul Haque (duck) -- saw their stumps dislodged as the Tigers head to Lunch on 26 for three after nine overs. Bumrah and Akash Deep have picked up two wickets each, so far.
Hasan scalps five, starved Taskin joins party
Bangladesh seamer Hasan Mahmud achieved a five-wicket haul as his final dismissal saw India bundled out for 376 in their first innings on the second day of the first Test at Chepauk today.
By dismissing No.10 batter Jasprit Bumrah, the right-arm quick picked up his second five-wicket haul in Tests and became the first Bangladesh Test bowler to achieve this feat in India.
While Hasan had wreaked havoc on the opening day -- his four wickets had India struggling at 144-6 at one stage -- his new-ball partner Taskin Ahmed went wicketless.
However, Taskin had a few moments to smile today, picking up the first three wickets to fall on the day after India resumed on 339-6, aiming for a 450-run total.
Taskin was on point from the outset, seeing the back of Ravindra Jadeja (86) and Akash Deep before dismissing yesterday's chief tormentor, Ravichandran Ashwin.
Ashwin, who frustrated the Tigers yesterday, brought about his own downfall on 113, attempting to free his arms to a full-pitched delivery, ending his 133-ball stay as captain Shanto grabbed a well-judged catch at mid-off.
The 38-year-old Ashwin was given a standing ovation after a sixth Test ton, which included 10 fours and two sixes.
Taskin sends Jadeja packing early on Day 2
Bangladesh's Taskin Ahmed finally found success in the Chennai Test as the right-arm pacer picked up the wicket of overnight batter Ravindra Jadeja early on the second day today.
India are 379-8 in 89 overs in their first innings, right after new batter Akash Deep became Taskin's second victim.
With India resuming the day's play at 339-6, ton-up Ravichandran Ashwin and Jadeja eyeing three figures, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto wasted no time in taking the new ball at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium.
It paid dividends soon, as the first delivery of the third over led to a caught-behind dismissal, leaving Jadeja 14 runs short of what could have been the all-rounder's fifth Test century and the seventh-wicket partnership just one run shy of 200.
In his next over, Taskin came agonisingly close to picking his second wicket -- that of Akash Deep -- but poor fielding let him down as Shakib Al Hasan dropped a regulation catch at square leg.
India are looking to extend their lead at the top of the World Test Championship rankings as they begin a fresh Test season of 10 matches.
Bangladesh have never beaten India in a Test.
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