In the third-day Test match at Chennai, India dominated Bangladesh. This was during Bangladesh’s tour of India for the ICC Test Championship. Thanks to Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill‘s brilliant centuries, India lead in the game. Their skills helped India reach an intimidating score, setting Bangladesh a tall chase of 515 runs in two and a half days.
Bangladesh were 158 for 4 by the end of the day and needed another 357 runs to win. India’s bowlers, with Ravichandran Ashwin in the lead, took key wickets even on a flat pitch and agreeable batting environment. This left Bangladesh in a sticky situation for the fourth day.
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Pant and Gill’s Brilliant Partnership Powers India
Day three saw them resuming their second innings, and India was well in control. The aggressive intent was very much visible as Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill confidently and patiently batted out a sensational partnership for the team. Pant, noted for his aggressive game, was more circumspect at the start of his innings, given that he fell to a soft dismissal in the first innings. However, once set, Pant opened up with his typical attacking shots, smashing four sixes during his innings.
Pant’s century, his sixth in Test cricket, was an emotional one as it came off just 118 balls. His aggressive flicks and ramp shots helped India pile on the runs before a declaration came soon after lunch. It was, in fact, his incredible range of strokes that kept the Bangladeshi bowlers under pressure throughout.
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On the other hand, Shubman Gill played a calmer, more composed innings as he brought up his fifth Test hundred off 161 balls. This was crucial for India since Gill paced his innings in fine fashion and was controlled aggression-especially against Bangladesh’s spinners-a sight to behold. As the over progressed, both Pant and Gill became increasing comfortable sending the ball sailing out of the park, with eight sixes between them. That helped India reach 85 sixes in 2024, just five adrift of the record for most sixes by a team in a calendar year.
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Ashwin Leads the Bowling Attack
A mammoth target of 515 runs in front of them, Bangladesh began their second innings, knowing full well that survival would not be easy. The opening duo of Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam showed intent right at the beginning, with Zakir, in particular, looking to attack and keep the scoreboard moving. He even hit Mohammed Siraj for a six early in his innings to set the tone for Bangladesh’s response.
The introduction of Ravichandran Ashwin, however, set back Bangladesh’s momentum. The Indian spinners gradually began to get into rhythm, despite the flat pitch, and Ashwin’s persistence duly paid off. The off-spinner bowled long spells and varied his pace, constantly probing the Bangladesh batters with sharp turn and drift.
The patience of Ashwin finally paid off. He first removed Shadman, who miscued a shot to be caught at short midwicket by Gill. Soon after, Ashwin came up with a beauty to remove Mominul Haque, bowled by one that turned just enough to beat the outside edge and hit the stumps.
The dangerous Mushfiqur Rahim was caught at mid-on after Ashwin’s third wicket came when Rahim attempted a slog-sweep that didn’t clear the fielder. Hit for four sixes in the innings, Ashwin remained focused and kept plugging away to finish the day with figures of 3 for 63.
Bangladesh Face Uphill Battle
The third day ended with Bangladesh caught at 158 for 4, still 357 runs short of an unexpected win. Najmul Hossain Shanto, standing strong at 51, demonstrated sound skill and determination. But for Bangladesh to chase the gigantic score of 515 – India’s highest Test match target – seems almost impossible. With just six players left, hope dangles razor-thin. Still, ample cricket remains to be played over the next two and a half days. Bangladesh’s only shot is to bat as long as they can. It’s time for batsmen like Shanto and Shakib Al Hasan to step up and lead a vigorous counter-attack.
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Conclusion
India is leading the game with a strong performance. They’ve made a massive score for Bangladesh to chase and already secured four key outs. Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill have shown impressive skill, and the Indian bowlers, led by Ravichandran Ashwin, have been solid and disciplined.
The outcome of this ICC Test Championship game during Bangladesh’s tour of India seems to favor India. However, Bangladesh is faced with a tough task. Cricket is unpredictable, and the excitement is bound to continue into day four. We’re looking forward to seeing how Bangladesh will step up and how India will strive for the win.
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