Shikhar Dhawan Slams Breezy 50 to Give India Flying Start vs Bangladesh

Shikhar Dhawan made a breezy return to India's Test team, slamming his third fifty as the visitors took a firm hold of the one-off Test on the first morning in Fatullah on Wednesday. Having elected to bat, India raced to 107 for no loss when rain stopped play after 23.3 overs. (Blog)

Dhawan was batting on 74 and Murali Vijay was unbeaten on 33 when the elements halted the openers on their tracks. Dhawan, of course, was extremely lucky after being dropped at short mid-wicket off left-arm spinner Taijul Islam. Shuvagata Hom dived to take a fairly simple catch, but the ball popped out. Dhawan was on 73.

Dhawan, who had shot to fame with the fastest hundred on Test debut, had been in the midst of a severe form slump. He was axed in the final Test against Australia earlier this year. His replacement Lokesh Rahul seemed set for a long run after his maiden ton but a bout of dengue meant Dhawan got another opportunity to regain his place at the top of the order.

Dhawan grabbed his chance versus Bangladesh and played an innings he is known for. His fifty came off 47 balls and contained 10 boundaries. Dhawan looked good for his third century. His last three-figure score, a fluent 115, had come against New Zealand in February 2014.

After a watchful start, Dhawan started opening up and played his trademark backfoot punches and cover drives to precision. He targeted spinner Hom, was severe on Mohammad Shahid and did not even spare Shakib Al Hasan as he lay a solid foundation for India.

Dhawan was in great form during the World Cup and had a decent run in the IPL. Back in the Test team, the 29-year-old left-hander was determined to make it count. Even as the more consistent Vijay appeared to be circumspect (33 off 70 balls with four boundaries), Dhawan adopted more aggressive tactics against Bangladesh's inexperienced bowling attack.