Bangladesh vs India Test Played at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium, Fatullah, Narayanganj

Brief Score Card at Stumps Day three.
India 462 /6 ( Shikhar Dhawan 173, Murali Vijay 150, Ajinka Rahane 98, Shakib Al Hasan 4/ 105 ,Jubair Hossain 2/103)

A day and 36 overs of the test went into history for monsoon rain. Maximum of two days left in the test. Wicket has some turn and bounce for a change. India’s push could be somewhat thwarted by some high quality spin bowling of seasoned Shakib and rare breed talented Jubayer Likhon. Shikhar Dhawan (173), Murali Vijay and Ajinka Rahane (98) took India to a zone of safety of 462/6 at close of on and off third day. Shakib (4/105) needs a wicket to achieve his 15th five wickets innings haul in 40 tests a rarity. Talented endangered leggie Jubayer Likhon (2/113) bamboozled Indian batsmen with loop and variations. If rain keeps away letting two full days play there may be some more drama. But, logical conclusion is match is heading for a draw. Not too sure which team rain God favored.



India batted superbly on the flat deck – a batting paradise on rain shortened first day against an erratic and lean Bangladesh attack steam rolling to 239/0. Rain and thunderstorm made the stadium more of a water sports than cricket on the second day. Morning looked bright on day three. But Bangladesh came with plan B. Shakib looks a much different bowler when batsmen are in aggressive mood. Moreover, he started giving more air inviting batsmen to come out and drive. His arm balls were bending and snaking. Young prodigy Jubayer amply demonstrated why legendary Shane Warne liked the look of him when Jubayer first emerged. His loop was tantalizing and his drifts were deceiving. He bamboozled Indian Captain before he could unleash.  Wickets fell in two clusters Dhawan, Rohit and Kohli in one package. Vijay, Saha and Rahane in the other.



In between Vijay and Rahane took India from a zone of uncertainty to a zone of comfort. 283 runs first wicket partnership is a new record for any wicket by India against Bangladesh. Talented Rahane played a brilliant innings of 98 and lost his wicket to a Shakib arm ball trying to push the score even when he was smelling a milestone.

Shakib is a different bowler when batsmen try to attack him. He may have acquired special skill as he plays in more limited version games world over as attacking wicket taker. When Shakib bowls well Bangladesh looks a different unit all together. Now this young boy Jubayer is a potential match winner for Bangladesh for the future. Indians even could not read him with assurance which is a great testimony of his class. We always thought he needs protection, he needs faith in him. Good that Mushfiqur and Haturasinghe insisted his inclusion in the side. Shakib echoed the sentiment of majority cricket admirers about Likhon in the day end press briefing. We hope Bangladesh Chief selector will learn lesson. Now to support this two wickets taking bowlers Bangladesh in future test matches must play with two quality pacers out of Rubel, Al Amin, Taskin and Shahid. It was a mere stupidity asking Soumya to fill in second pacers role. To be honest with him, he does not even come in the top 30 of Dhaka pacers. Shahid also can be an ideal third seamer. Bangladesh must also prepare true sporting wickets.



Will the match see more rain interruption or will it play over the next two days? India has almost 500 runs in the bank. If weather is good they may want to add another 30 -40 runs. That will offer an opportunity for Shakib to get his 15th five wicket haul taking him alongside to some games greats. Then, the real challenge will start. Wicket has started showing some tricks. Some balls turned and bounced. Harbhajan and Ashwin must have their eyes opened. Bangladesh needs to play them well. They must not close down their shutters. Rotating the strike, playing as much as possible on the front foot must be the way. Bhaaji has doosras and Ashwin has carom balls. Tamim and Kayes are expected to launch and give a good start. Bangladeshis all over the world are wishing to see the little bird Mominul play another magical innings of 30 or more to reach the sky his limit. History will beacon the boy from Cox’s Bazar when that happens. Our little master will equal world record of ABD. Will debutant Liton bat at four or will it be Majestic Mushfiqur appearing with his confident bat? When Shakib bowls well he usually bats also brilliantly. Then we have Soumya in his prime task. Shubhagato has to play for Farukh and Co to pay back faith in him.  I do not think it should be that difficult for Bangladesh to earn a respectable draw at least from where the match stands now. Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Varoon Aron may struggle on this nothing for pacers wicket.

Test cricket changes hue every day every session. 6 sessions two days cannot take anything for guaranteed yet. India will be more desperate in pushing for win. Even a draw will harm their harm its cause. Bangladesh must play positively like they batted in the second innings at Khulna. There will not be any love lost in playing carefully aggressive.

BDST: 0843 HRS, JUN 13, 2015
RS