Batters give India hope to force result in rain-hit Bangladesh Test

KANPUR: Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul scored blistering half-centuries as India looked to force a result in the rain-hit second Test against Bangladesh here at the Green Park Stadium.

In a match that was majorly affected by rain, Bangladesh were trailing by 26 runs at Stumps on Day 4 after being reduced to 26/2 in their second innings.

Bangladesh resumed their first innings at 107-3 but could only add 119 more runs to their tally despite an unbeaten century by Mominul Haque.

Haque struck 17 fours and a six on his way to top score for Bangladesh with a gritty 107-run knock.

Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (31) was the only other batter with a significant contribution.

Jasprit Bumrah led India’s bowling attack with three wickets, followed by Mohammed Siraj, Ravichandran Ashwin and Akash Deep, who bagged two each.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

In response, Indian batters came out all guns blazing with young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul being the cornerstones of their attempt to force a result.

Jaiswal smashed 12 fours and two sixes on his way to a 51-ball 72 while Rahul made a brisk half-century, scoring 68 off just 43 balls, laced up with seven fours and two sixes.

Seasoned batter Virat Kohli (47) was the next-best run-getter in the home side’s whirlwind first innings. India declared at 285-9 from just 34.4 overs, leaving Bangladesh to face a tricky 11 overs before the Stumps.

The touring party lost two wickets in the process as Ravichandran Ashwin trapped Zakir Hasan (10) lbw before bowling nightwatchman Hasan Mahmud for four.

Shadman Islam (7*) and Mominul Haque will now resume Bangladesh’s second innings from 26/2 on the highly-anticipated final day of the ongoing second Test.

Remember, India lead the two-match series against Bangladesh 1-0 as they won the opening fixture by 280 runs.

READ: Virat Kohli breaks Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record