India vs Bangladesh, Only Test Day 5: 5 Talking Points

The grand success of Team India in the longest format continued as they won their 6th successive Test series by defeating Bangladesh by 208 runs in the only Test at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. It was a clinical performance by the Team India bowlers on the final day of the Test and they completed a victory just before tea. It has been a sensational home season for India winning everything in their way.

Beginning the day’s play at 103/3, Bangladesh lost their in-form batsman Shakib-al-Hasan in the 3rd over of the day to Ravindra Jadeja. The left-arm spinner has bowled exceptionally to left-handers especially on the 4th and 5th day of a Test. Ishant Sharma bowled his heart out and deserved at least four wickets. While Kamrul Islam Rabbi was wrongly adjudged not out by umpire Marais Erasmus despite being struck plumb in front, Murali Vijay dropped a sitter of Mehedi Hasan but it didn’t cost India in the end. Eventually, India completed a comprehensive victory by 208 runs to strengthen their numero uno status in Tests.

That said here we have a look at 5 Talking Points from the final day of Test

1. Mahmudullah’s gutsy knock

Mahmudullah played a gritty knock on the final day of the innings but it wasn’t enough to help Bangladesh save the Test match. Beginning the day’s play at 103, Bangladesh lost Shakib early but Mahmudullah kept the visitors hopes alive with good innings.

He played a couple of good shots of Umesh Yadav, to begin with, and remained patient against the spinners. Despite the pitch not assisting the bowlers, it was a gritty knock from the experienced campaigner.
He defied the Indian bowlers very well in the opening session but in failed prey to Ishant Sharma in the 2nd session.

The fast bowler was in middle of a terrific spell and he was unable to adjust to Ishant’s short ball strategy and held out at the fine leg region.

Also read: Twitter Reactions: Bangladesh fight tight but India seal the one-off Test

2. Ashwin continues his dream run

After himself admitting that he was rusty in the 1st innings, the wily spinner came back strongly in the 2nd essay to finish with impressive figures of 4/73. He had sent back Tamim Iqbal and Mominul Haque on the 4th day and added two more to his kitty in the final day by dismissing Mushfiqur Rahim and Taskin Ahmed.

While he deceived Rahim with a loopy off break, Taskin was wrapped in front and despite the umpire ruling in favour of the batsman, replays suggested the ball would have crashed onto leg stumps and Kohli took a wonderful review to finish off proceedings. His form will certainly keep the Australians on their toes once the 1st Test begins on 23rd February.

Watch: The final wicket that took India to 208-run victory

It’s all over! India win the one-off Test against Bangladesh by 208 runs @Paytm Test Cricket #INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/VSYZTyTjGS

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 13, 2017

3.  Kamrul Islam Rabbi’s 70 balls resistance

Bangladesh showed a lot of character throughout the match and despite losing it by a big margin, in the end, they would take a lot of heart from the performance they have put against the No.1 Test side in the world. Even on the final day, despite getting bowled out, tailender Kamrul Islam Rabbi played a gutsy knock to defied the Indian bowlers for a long period of time.

Despite scoring only 3 runs he played out 70 balls which were the order of the day for the visitors. Eventually, his efforts went in vain as they were bowled out with Rabbi remaining unbeaten on 3 of 70 balls.

4.  Ravindra Jadeja impressive spell

Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja was brilliant on the final day of the Test and finished with brilliant figures of 4/78 in 37 overs. He began with Shakib’s wicket in the 3rd over of the day. The ball pitched in the rough and turned sharply to take the inside edge of Shakib’s bat. The short-leg fielder completed a straight forward catch. He kept bowling tight lines and turned the odd ball here and there.

He added two more to his kitty by removing Mehedi Hasan and Taijul Islam. He has been sensational off late in the longest format and his brilliant form will be vital for India’s chances going into the much anticipated 4 match series against Australia.

Also read: IND v BAN, Only-Test, Day 5 Review: India completes impressive win

5. Ishant Sharma’s inspired spell 

The lanky fast bowler bowled an inspiring spell in the 2nd session of the final day which derailed the visitor’s progress. He dismissed Sabbir Rahman with a straight delivery which held its line after pitching. The ball thudded onto the stumps plumb in front and there was no doubt in the mind of the umpire.

He beautifully set up Mahmudullah with a barrage of short deliveries which ultimately brought about his dismissal as the right-hander failed to keep a short delivery down and held out at the fine leg region. He eventually finished with figures of 2/40 in 13 overs.