India in command

Gautam Gambhir closed in on a rapid half-century as India raced to 122-1 in their second innings at stumps on the third day of the opening Test against Bangladesh on Tuesday. The opener (47 not out) added 90 for the opening wicket with stand-in captain Virender Sehwag (45) after India had narrowly avoided conceding the lead to Bangladesh for the first time in six Tests.

Bangladesh were bowled out for 242 in their first innings shortly after tea in reply to India’s 243.

India got off to a strong start, with left-handed Gambhir and Sehwag dominating the Bangladeshi attack with attractive shots during their 17-over partnership. Sehwag fell just three balls after hitting a straight six off left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan, caught by Raqibul Hasan at square-leg while attempting another big shot.

Nightwatchman Amit Mishra was unbeaten with a 21-ball 24 when play was called off due to bad light.

Bangladesh’s Mohammad Mahmudullah earlier hit an impressive 69 for his maiden half-century. He put on 108 for the seventh wicket with Mushfiqur Rahim (44) to raise his team’s hopes of gaining the lead.

The hosts were tottering at 98-6 before being revived by Mahmudullah and Rahim, but three late wickets by Indian leg-spinner Mishra saw them concede the lead.

Bangladesh failed to cope with India’s pace in the morning, when they lost three wickets in the space of 30 runs, but Mahmudullah and Rahim denied the visitors success for more than two hours with their sensible knocks.

The duo applied themselves remarkably well, patiently waiting for loose deliveries. Mahmudullah played some handsome shots in his 108-ball knock before being caught behind off paceman Shanthakumaran Sreesanth.

AFP