DHAKA: Bangladesh has its back to wall by stumps of day two. India has reached the peak of ran mountain cruising confronting the friendly fires of a listless Bangladesh attack on a flat deck. Virat (204) continued his sublime form scoring yet another double century which is as many as the fourth in the four consecutive test series.

Vijay(108)  and Saha (106) also produced three figures , Pujara (83)  and Rahane (82) missed by not big distance , Jadeja (60)  also joined the fun. Bangladeshi bowlers bowled inconsistently feeding the top quality Indian batsmen doing picnic in festive mood. India have made scoring 600 and more a routine over the past 4 tests (three against England).

Responding to a mammoth Indian first innings declared at 686 /6 Bangladesh on third day of an eventful lone test between two next door neighbors Bangladesh and India the task is well carved out for grinding and grafting. Wicket is still flat with occasional turn . India has two top ICC ranked bowlers in Ashwin and Jadeja . Bangladesh has required batting resources. If they can stay cool and demonstrate strong resolve they can put up brave show of making India toil and perspire.. 

On a wicket offering very little to either pacers or spinners all that were required for Bangladesh was maintaining discipline and patience. But the bowlers failed to bowl consistently in the right channel or according to the field set. The lesser said about the fielding the better. Captain Mushfique himself made few costly errors . Missed very easy stumping chance, not going for catch. Catches were dropped in the deep. Some edges dropped short. Otherwise Indian batsmen made merry.

However, on such wicket in similar situation the Indian batsmen could take any bowling attack to task. Bangladesh lacks experience of playing waiting game in longer version. The young attack could do better if the leader of the pack Shakib could appear in his brilliant best. But that was never to be. The others Taijul and Meraj did as much as they could. The fielders could not back the bowlers. Also luck deserted them some quality balls were just short of getting wickets.

On such a wicket the arguably most organized batsman of the world now Virat Kohli can not miss out. He scored yet another double hundred punishing the Bangladesh attack. It now seems that only sky is his limit. He has really started climbing the mount Everest of run making to challenge the all time great Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar.

Virat scored his ton on the first day, Shaha achieved it on the second . Pujara also played a significant innings on day one , Rahane who replaced the triple centurion in the previous also played a typical quality innings . Jadeja punctured the pride of shoulder dropping Bangladesh bowlers.

687/6 makes any side of the world striving for survival. Indian spinners with run insurance behind them will make the life of Bangladeshi bowlers very difficult on day three. But that does not mean that Tigers have no opportunity of redeeming. Tamim and Mominul must bat with patience. There is no need to race against time. The batsmen really have quality to bat on and on. Wickets do not have venom. Balls are not snaking or bouncing awkwardly. Bangladesh must play out day three without losing too many wickets. If not the match may not span out till day five.

BDST: 1112 HRS, FEB 11, 2017

SMS