India has done what for many would have been impossible to even think of. With more than two and a half days of play lost to rain and a damp outfield, the only result that seemed possible at the start of Day 4 was a draw. But that was not exactly how the India team thought about the game.
India entered into day 4, all guns blazing. They fulfilled their foremost goal of dismissing Bangladesh shortly and making something out of the game. Under one and a half sessions of play, India took the 7 Bangladeshi wickets left, as the visitors fell for 233 all-out. Jasprit Bumrah was on a rampage mode as he bowled a wonderful spell that ended with 3-50. It was also a landmark day for Ravindra Jadeja who got to 300 Test wickets, thereby getting himself into the elite club of players with the double of 3000 runs and 300 wickets in the longest format.
With just one and a half days of play left, the result still felt far-fetched and impractical. Rohit Sharma and Co. however, had different plans. Jaiswal and Rohit smashed the Bangladeshi bowlers all over the park to take India to 50 in just 3 overs. All the Indian batters continued from where the openers left and ensured that the scoring rate never fell down.
In an attempt to build up a lead as quickly as possible, Rahul (68 off 43 balls) set the tone for the pyrotechnics towards the end. His 87-run partnership with Virat Kohli (47 off 35) made sure that the middle order made the most of the base that the top three had laid. India’s intent to win was so visible that even though Rahul and Kohli are better renowned for their conventional methods, they both gave it their all. During the post-lunch session, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s explosive 51-ball 72 and his intense opening partnership with Rohit Sharma set the tone.
India batted just under 35 overs for their score of 285 runs, a remarkable 8.22 runs per over, and eventually declared at the loss of their ninth wicket. This was a step up even by the standards of England’s ‘Bazball’ tactics, and Bangladesh was obviously astounded by the onslaught. With the batters in T20 mode, Mehidy Hasan (4-41) and Shakib Al Hasan (4-78) helped themselves to a number of wickets.
Despite having a difficult time navigating toward stumps, the visitors lost two wickets in this phase, both to Ravichandran Ashwin. While Zakir Hasan’s first was a traditional off-spinner’s setup, nightwatchman Hasan Mahmud’s second came through an outrageous stroke.
Because of all of this, India finished the fourth day in a very strong position. India now possesses a definite chance of winning the game and making it one of the greatest victories in the history of test cricket.
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