Bangladesh vs India, One-Off Test, Day 3 Highlights: Rain Plays Spoilsport After Shakib Al Hasan Denies Ajinkya Rahane 4th Test Century
India finished with 462/6 after rain forced play to be called off early once again in their one-off Test against Bangladesh. Catch highlights from the match here.
Rain played spoilsport once again as India finished Day 3 on 462/6. Play was called off after the third rain stoppage. Led by Shakib Al Hasan (4/105), Bangladesh made a strong comeback in the second session. Shikhar Dhawan fell for 173 earlier in the day while Murali Vijay made 150. Ajinkya Rahane was unfortunate to miss out on a hundred when he was dismissed for 98. Catch all the highlights from the match here. (SCORECARD | PHOTOS | FIXTURES)
3.45 PM IST: Play has been called off for the day. We'll be back again for an early start at 9 AM on Saturday. Provided of course rain does not play truant.
3.05 PM IST: The rain has gotten heavier. This is some serious time lost today again. Fatullah's drainage facilities are excellent but they have been tested to the hilt today.
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2.40 PM IST: Tea has been taken after rain interrupted play for the third time today.
India's M Vijay - 6 Test 100s, with a lowest of 139 Aussie Warren Bardsley (1909-1926) - 6 Test 100s, lowest is 121 #IndvsBan
- Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) June 12, 2015
2.30 PM IST: It's not heavy rain but a steady drizzle. Either way, the cricket can't resume till the it clears off completely
2.21 PM IST: Rain stops play again, with India 426/6 vs Bangladesh
2.16 PM IST: All six wickets have gone to the spinners - Shakib has taken four of them. This pitch certainly has something in it for the slower bowlers. For now, India have both their off-spinners at the crease. It's a good opportunity to have a look at the wicket closely. Meanwhile, they are no mugs with the bat either - both Ashwin and Harbhajan have centuries to their names.
In Tests R Ashwin and Harbhajan Singh aggregate runs: 3209* 100s: 4 50s: 13 #IndvsBan
- Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) June 12, 2015
2.14 PM IST: Things are falling apart for India - Saha fell to Jubair for 6 while Rahane was snapped up by Shakib for 98. India are 453/6 vs Bangladesh.
1.56 PM IST: WICKET! Shakib strikes again to remove Vijay for 150 - that was a poor decision by umpire Dharmasena. But just what the doctor ordered for Bangladesh after another rain break. Still no sign of an Indian declaration.
1.42 PM IST: The rain is really bad this time. Who knows when play will start again?
1.38 PM IST: Rain has stopped play again - minutes after Vijay brought up his 150, the players rushed back to the dressing rooms. India 423/3 vs Bangladesh
1.35 PM IST: Murali Vijay is the only Indian batsman to score 1000 Test runs over the last 12 months. Kohli is next on the list with 840 runs.
1.31 PM IST: Rahane smothers Shakib for two successive fours. That's a statement of intent from India.
1.28 PM IST: India are 410/3, thanks to a fine century stand between Vijay (147*) and Rahane (64*). Bangladesh have their task cut out with India seemingly poised to start attacking.
1.25 PM IST: FOUR! Spanking cover drive from Rahane - he has scored at a brisk rate and he will need to continue now. An Indian declaration can't be far away.
1.24 PM IST: India have moved past 400 after the rain delay. Vijay is looking to get to his 150.
1.20 PM IST: Play has resumed. India 398/3
1.10 PM IST: The covers are starting to come off again, but the pitch is still protected.
1.00 PM: Still no sign of any cricketing action. India are 398/3 and with time running out fast, would Kohli think of declaring? India's average first innings score against Bangladesh is 556.
12.38 PM IST: It's raining again! The covers are back on
12.28 PM IST: The covers are coming off, but the pitch is still covered. No word yet on how soon we can get some play.
12.20 PM IST: India would be very frustrated with this latest stoppage - they are the ones pushing for a result here but another rain interruption has put paid to their hopes for now. Vijay, who has looked great, is eying 150 here while Rahane has been superb too.
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12.04 PM IST: It started raining in Fatullah and the covers were rushed on. The rain has stopped now but the covers have been kept on as a precautionary measure. Start of the second session will be definitely delayed. India 398/3
11.31 AM IST: LUNCH - India 398/3. Vijay (144 not out) and Rahane added an unbroken 88 in 18 overs as India added 159 runs in this session. Bangladesh did strike back with three wickets - Shakib picked two of them - but the morning belonged to the tourists, who resumed on 239/0. A total of 37 overs were bowled and thankfully the rain stayed away. There was some disappointment for India however - Dhawan missed another double hundred, while Rohit (6), picked ahead of Pujara to bat at No.3 failed. Skipper Kohli too went for 14, bringing Rahane and Vijay together.
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11.27 AM IST: Rahane slams his 7th fifty in quick time as India move to 398/3. This has been a crisp knock, with well-timed shots on either side of the wicket. Bangladesh feeling the heat of India's strong batting line-up.
For someone who has the reputation of being dour, and not quite box-office, Ajinkya Rahane has got a most enterprising 50!
- Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 12, 2015
11.18 AM IST: India have already scored 146 runs in 35 overs this session for the loss of three wickets. Bangladesh have struggled despite Shakib's double strike.
11.14 AM IST: India 377/3 with Vijay approaching 150; Rahane is on 37 and is looking dangerous with every minute he spends at the crease. Lunch is about 16 minutes away. ÂÂ
11.03 AM IST: Vijay and Rahane have added 54 off 68 balls and India are 364/3 - they would be targeting another 25 or so before lunch is taken at 11.30. That should give Kohli the courage to call think of a bold declaration.
10.54 AM IST: FOUR byes and that's 350 up for India; 353/3 vs Bangladesh with Rahane unbeaten on 27 and Vijay on 127. Over 30 minutes left for lunch and if India can go through this session without losing any more wickets, then Bangladesh will feel the heat. There's a bit of cloud cover and there is some forecast for rain later.
Most Test runs in the last 365 days 1318 Root 1148 Younus K 1120 Williamson 1108* S Smith 1071 Ballance 1052 Sanga 1008* M Vijay #IndvsBan
- Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) June 12, 2015
10.51 AM IST: Vijay and Rahane have added 34 runs in 7 overs despite the loss of three quick wickets. Two men in form would be dangerous in any situation and this pitch is still a batting beauty. India 348/3.
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10.41 AM IST: India have moved on to 337/3 vs Bangladesh. Vijay is batting on 123 while Rahane is on 19.
10.36 AM IST: FOUR! Rahane has come out looking really confident and composed. A few boundaries have helped him warm up very nicely here - he will be ideal company for Vijay, who has been solid.
10.32 AM IST: The second new ball is due in 2 overs and India have two of their best batsmen in the middle. Vijay and Rahane have scored runs all over the world and against all types of bowling attacks. They are the just the right men to take the attack to Bangladesh and score some important runs here.
10.20 AM IST: WICKET! This is not looking good for India; they have lost another one and it's the dangerous Virat Kohli, who perishes to Jubair Hossain for 14. India are 310/3 off 75 overs vs Bangladesh as Rahane joins Vijay in the middle.
10.14 AM IST: India have gone past 300 - and with Kohli in the middle with Vijay, the tourists would like to push the scoring rate further and put Bangladesh in further pressure. However, the two quick wickets would have boosted the hosts' confidence.
10.00 AM IST: WICKET! Another one down - Shakib has removed Rohit Sharma for 6. India are 291/2 and Virat Kohli, the skipper walks in to join Vijay, who raised his 100 earlier.
Shakib is showing why he is in a different class to the rest of the bowlers....
- Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 12, 2015
9.56 AM IST: Drinks were taken soon after Dhawan's dismissal - India's new No. 3 Rohit Sharma has joined Murali Vijay in the middle.
9.50 AM IST: WICKET! Dhawan has missed out on another double hundred - he tried to charge Shakib again but only managed to offer a simple chance back to Shakib. Dhawan out for 173 and India are 283/1.
9.48 AM IST: FOUR! Dhawan charges down to Shakib and it bounces just before the ropes. India 283/0 and Dhawan is on 173 not out. This has been a spectacular innings so far.
9.37 AM IST: Shakib Al Hasan in the attack as Bangladesh try to make a breakthrough here. He is the biggest threat for the hosts but the left-arm spinner has failed to produce his usual magic. India 270/0 off 65.1 overs
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9.32 AM IST: Hundred for Vijay, his sixth in Test cricket. Another fine, fine effort by the Tamil Nadu batsman, who has been in top form over the last two years. India are 266/0 in 66.3 overs and are looking very, very strong here.
9.28 AM IST: FOUR! Dhawan nudges a loose delivery from Taijul Islam and he has quickly moved to 163 - India are 262/0 against Bangladesh and are looking as good as they did on Wednesday.
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9.10 AM IST: Vijay has moved into the 90 while India reach 244/0 off 58.4 overs against Bangladesh in Fatullah. He would look to build on this stand with Dhawan. The opening duo is also 46 short of eclipsing their own record of 289 which had come against Australia over two years back.
9.00 AM IST: Play has resumed with India 239/0 as Mohammad Shami runs in to bowl the first over of the day. After all of Thursday was washed out, Dhawan and Vijay would look to pile on the pressure further against Bangladesh.
8.45 AM IST: Before the start of play, Dhawan said he liked getting back into the flow. "I have this really good habit of making it a big one when I get going. Sometimes you make mistakes but I knew I'd score big once I got the chance." Two of his three hundreds have been over 150 and here he has a chance to go on and get a double hundred. Will he?
8.30 AM IST: Despite the sunny conditions, there is chance of rain later today - possibly around lunch. But it could still make for an interesting first session now when play resumes.
8.15 AM IST: With a good part of Day 1 and all of Day 2 washed out, the stage is set for Dhawan to come out all guns blazing. He is unbeaten on 150 and has a terrific chance to get to his maiden Test double hundred, while Vijay looks poised for his sixth ton. Bangladesh's bowlers have a massive challenge on their hands today.
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7.57 AM IST: Good morning and welcome to our coverage of Day 3. It looks promising already with bright, sunny conditions. There will be an early start and India, resuming at 239/0, will look to up the ante further in order to make up for lost time.
Bright and sunny. Already 3 storm predictions have come and gone! Hopefully others will too. If 3 full days, result definitely possible
- Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 12, 2015
Don't know what the day holds but at least it is a bright morning......#BANvsIND
- Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 12, 2015
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Dhawan was a class act on the opening day of the Test. He smacked the ball with powerful intent. Under a cloudy sky, the real thunder came from the blade of the Delhi opener who made full use of Rubel Hossain not being played. (Also read: Bangladesh coach defends decision to drop Rubel Hossain)
Dhawan reached his fifty off 47 deliveries, 100 off 101 and 150 off a mere 158 balls. His innings has seen 21 boundaries so far but credit is also due to the support he got from the other end. Vijay has been the sensible of the two and played a more Test-like knock. His 89 have come off a patient 178 balls but has frustrated Bangladesh almost as much as Dhawan's aggression.
With the likes of Rohit Sharma, captain Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane yet to come, the hosts have an uphill struggle on their hands. Rookie Shuvagata Hom was comparatively economical and his 13 went for 3.61 an over. With seven bowlers used on the opening day though, the signs of desperation were clear. Will they prevail or will the rain allow Bangladesh one more day of reprieve?