Sachin Tendulkar cracked his 45th Test century and Rahul Dravid his 29th as India tightened the screws on Bangladesh in the second and final Test yesterday.
Tendulkar made 143 and Dravid 111 before retiring hurt to help India post a massive 459-5 in their first innings at stumps on the second day in reply to Bangladesh’s modest total of 233.
Dravid was struck on the helmet while avoiding a bouncer from paceman Shahadat Hossain, bowling with the second new ball. He hit 12 fours in his 188-ball knock.
PHOTO: AFP
Gautam Gambhir (68) and Virender Sehwag (56) put on 103 for the opening wicket, before Tendulkar and Dravid consolidated their team’s position with a 222-run stand for the third wicket.
Gambhir also equaled West Indian Viv Richards’ world record of scoring a half-century in 11 successive Tests.
Tendulkar was caught by Imrul Kayes at mid-wicket off left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan. His 182-ball knock contained one six and 13 fours.
Shakib took his second wicket when he had Murali Vijay (30) caught by Mohammad Mahmudullah at mid-on, but India had already gained a big lead at that stage.
It was a disappointing day for Bangladesh, who not only struggled to take wickets, but also failed to make the most of the chances that came their way.
Tendulkar was let off on 27 by Raqibul Hasan at gully off seamer Rubel Hossain before reaching his half-century with a firmly driven four off Shahadat.
Dravid was on 28 when he edged a short-pitched delivery from Rubel into the slips, where Junaid Siddique took a superb catch, but it was ruled a no-ball.
Bangladesh removed both the openers in the first session with short-pitched deliveries, but had to wait for more than a session for their next success as Tendulkar and Dravid batted with determination.
Gambhir was caught behind while fending off a rising delivery from paceman Shafiul Islam.
Sehwag fell soon after reaching his 21st Test half-century when he gloved a rising ball from Shahadat to the wicketkeeper.
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