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.
Former India captain and legendary batter, Sunil Gavaskar was surprised by Indian team management's decision to promote Axar Patel up the order instead of sending Kohli or Rishabh Pant.
"It didn't send a good message to Kohli. He is the best batsman in the world. Unless Kohli himself asked for it, then it's a different matter. We don't know what happened in the changing room. But it's hard to understand. Axar has played well, of course," Gavaskar told Sony Sports at the end of Day 3.
"He is the world's best player. 15 overs were left. Saba Karim said it could have been because of the left-right combination, which is an obvious thought, but then I feel - did Rishabh Pant take a sleeping pill? I will also say that it is easy for us to say this from here; we don't know if someone was not feeling well," Ajay Jadeja, who was part of the panel, added.
"Irrespective of left-hander or not, let Rishabh Pant come into bat next tomorrow. His point was that even if Axar Patel was still there, it should be Pant who should join him at the crease. Let this left-hand and right-hand experiment stop," Gavaskar noted.
Chasing 100 runs on a deteriorating wicket will be extremely challenging for India. To add to their problems, Bangladesh bowlers will have their tails up after staging a remarkable comeback on Day 3.
