The ongoing second Test match between India and Bangladesh in Dhaka ebbed and flowed in different directions on December 24 (Saturday) as the hosts turned the tables on the visitors with four quicks wickets in the final session on Day 3. Often termed as the moving day, Day 3 produced edge-of-the-seat entertainment as both teams landed heavy punches in order to gain ascendancy. After Bangladesh set a target of 145 runs on tricky wickets, Indian batters failed to tackle spinners and gave a window for Shakib Al Hasan's team to make a comeback into the Test match. KL Rahul's men lost four wickets in the final session and ended Day 3 with a score of 45/4 on the board, needing 100 more runs to win the game.
Chasing a target of 145 runs, India endured a horrendous start with captain Rahul (2 run off 7 balls) once again faltering with the bat as Shakib found the outside edge of the Indian batter's willow. Trouble mounted on India when Mehidy Hasan Miraz dismissed in-form Cheteshwar Pujara (6 runs off 12 balls). On 12/2, India needed a small partnership to ease some nerves but that didn't happen. Shubman Gill (7 runs off 35 balls) was dismissed by Mehidy Hasan, who soon after sent Virat Kohli (1 run off 22 balls) back to the pavilion, leaving India tottering at 37/4.
Axar Patel, who walked out to bat at No.4, made a handy contribution of 26 not out off 54 balls and he along with Jaydev Unadkat (3 runs off 8 balls) took India to stumps.
Earlier in the day, Indian bowlers started off well as Najmul Hossain Shanto (5) was dismissed lbw by Ravichandran Ashwin in the second over of the day. Siraj took the wicket of half-centurion of first innings Mominul Haque (5) few overs later Skipper Shakib Al Hasan started off well but fell to Jaydev Unadkat in the first session itself. Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim could not do damage either and was trapped in front of the wickets by Axar Patel (9). After the first session, Bangladesh were 71/4.
In the second session, India let Bangladesh make a comeback. Zakir got to his half-century but threw his wicket away trying to play an aerial shot off Umesh Yadav. Zakir scored 51 runs from 135 deliveries including five boundaries. Meanwhile, Das decided to take on Patel and hit him for a couple of boundaries. Mehidy Hasan Miraz could not open his account and got lbw by Axar for a five-ball duck.
Nurul played a crucial cameo of 31 off 29 deliveries including two fours and one six. Nurul became Axar's third victim of the day as he danced down the wicket and got stumped by Rishabh Pant.
Kohli was lacklustre in the field at first slip and put down as many as three catches (excluding the one which he could not get to) as Das and Taskin piled on runs. Das made India pay for the lapses in fielding and scored 73 runs from 98 deliveries including seven fours. Siraj came back into the attack and got through Das’ defenses.
In the next over, Ashwin trapped tailender Taijul Islam (1) as well. The resistance for the home side continued for a while but no.11 batter Khaled Ahmed got run out trying to sneak a single. Taskin remained not out for 31 off 46 deliveries as Bangladesh got all out for 231.
