Xtra Time Web Desk: Late strikes from Bangladesh spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz saw India struggling at 45/4 at stumps on Day 3. The visitors need another 100 runs to win the second test and make a clean sweep in the test series. Bangladesh were bowled out for 231 runs in the second innings. Liton Das was the top scorer with 73 runs. Chasing 145 runs to win, India find themselves at 45/4 with nightwatchmen Axar Patel (26*) and Jaydev Unadkat (3*) at the crease.
Earlier Bangladesh started their second innings on a disastrous note, with Ravichandran Ashwin removing Najmul Hasan Shanto (5) in the second over of the day. Mominul Haque also did not last long at the crease as he was caught by Pant off the bowling of Siraj for only 5 runs. To make matters worse for the hosts, captain Shakib al Hasan brought his downfall, trying to play a shot against Jaydev Unadkat. He was caught by Cheteshwar Oujara for 13 runs. Mushfiqur Rahim too was out leg before to Axar Patel, leaving Bangladesh in deep trouble on 70/4.
Zakir Hasan, who scored a hundred on his debut in the first test at Chittagong brought up his half century. He was caught by Mohammed Siraj off Umesh Yadav for 51 runs.
Liton Das, was dropped by Virat Kohli in the slips on 20 runs. He later stitched two crucial partnerships with Nurul Hasan (31) and Taskin Ahmed (31*) to see the score go past 200 runs. Liton was bowled by Siraj for 73 runs. Bangladesh posted 231 runs, takin g a lead of 144 runs in the second innings.
The third session definitely belonged to Bangladesh. For a large part of the day, things seemed to be going pretty much India’s way, like it had during the first two days. At one stage, Bangladesh led by just 26 when they lost their sixth wicket. It seemed then that the game would be done and dusted on Day 3. But the hosts refused to bow down without a fight.
Bangladesh captain Shakib al Hasan led from the front, removing his opposite number in his first over before Mehidy’s triple strike got rid of Gill, Pujara and Kohli to wreak havoc. Amidst the ruins, Axar, who was promoted, has played a crucial knock of 26 not out. The visitors still need another 100 runs with 6 wickets in hand. Time clearly is not a factor anymore as an interesting first session on Day 4 will decide the fate of the test match.