IND vs BAN: India set a target of 515 runs for Bangladesh, Gill-Pant scored strong centuries

Vilas Dhadke
11 Min Read
IND vs BAN
Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill
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IND vs BAN 1st Test:

India vs Bangladesh 1st Test: Team India gave Bangladesh a target of 515 runs to win in the Chennai Test. India scored 376 runs in the first innings. After this, the second innings was declared after scoring 287 runs. During this, Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant scored strong centuries. Gill remained unbeaten after scoring 119 runs. He hit 10 fours and 4 sixes. Team India’s veteran batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma could not do anything special. Now Bangladesh will face a tough challenge.

Gill and Pant performed well for Team India. Yashasvi and Rohit came to open the second innings. During this, Rohit was out after scoring 5 runs and Yashasvi 10 runs. Virat Kohli returned to the pavilion after scoring 17 runs. After this, Gill and Pant took over the matter. There was a century partnership between these two. Gill scored an unbeaten 119 runs facing 176 balls. He hit 10 fours and 4 sixes. 

Rishabh Pant hit a powerful century –

Wicketkeeper batsman Pant performed brilliantly. He scored 109 runs facing 128 balls. Pant’s innings included 13 fours and 4 sixes. KL Rahul scored an unbeaten 22 runs. He hit 4 fours facing 19 balls.

Bangladesh has a mountainous target in front of them

Bangladeshi bowlers could not do much in the second innings. However, Mehdi Hasan Miraz took 2 wickets for the team. He gave 103 runs in 25 overs. Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana took 1-1 wickets. Bangladesh now has a mountainous target in front of them. The team was all out on a score of 149 runs in the first innings.

Bumrah-Siraj can become a problem for Bangladesh –

Bangladesh team was all out for 149 runs in the first innings. Indian bowlers performed brilliantly during this innings. Bumrah took 4 wickets. He gave 50 runs in 11 overs. While Akash Deep and Siraj took 2-2 wickets. Ravindra Jadeja also took 2 wickets. Therefore, batting will not be easy for them in the second innings.

India has once again demonstrated their dominance in Test cricket by setting a towering target of 515 runs for Bangladesh in the ongoing match. The charge was led by two of India’s brightest talents, Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, who both smashed spectacular centuries to take the game away from the opposition. Their aggressive yet classy innings not only put India in a commanding position but also provided a masterclass in modern Test batting.

Shubman Gill’s Classy Century

Shubman Gill, known for his composure and elegant stroke play, played a crucial role in building India’s lead. His century, filled with graceful cover drives and deft flicks, showcased why he is regarded as the next big thing in Indian cricket. Gill anchored the innings beautifully, ensuring that India had a solid foundation before the middle order came in to accelerate.

His innings was a combination of patience and controlled aggression, as he rotated strike and picked off the bad balls with ease. Gill’s temperament was on full display as he handled both spin and pace with finesse. His understanding of the game’s tempo allowed him to time his shots to perfection, keeping the scoreboard ticking without taking unnecessary risks.

Gill’s century wasn’t just about personal milestones—it was about ensuring that India maintained complete control of the match. His knock frustrated the Bangladesh bowlers, who struggled to find any weaknesses in his technique. By the time he reached his hundred, India had already placed themselves in a strong position to declare and put pressure on the opposition.

Rishabh Pant’s Explosive Hundred

While Shubman Gill provided stability, it was Rishabh Pant’s explosive century that took the game to the next level. Pant’s fearless and aggressive batting left Bangladesh reeling, as he tore through their bowling attack with a flurry of boundaries and towering sixes. Pant’s innings was filled with typical flair—reverse sweeps, powerful drives, and audacious pull shots.

Pant’s ability to accelerate the scoring rate was crucial in helping India set a mammoth total. What made Pant’s century even more special was the ease with which he played his natural game, despite the pressure of building a lead. His strike rate was remarkable, and he never allowed the Bangladesh bowlers to settle into a rhythm.

Bangladesh’s spinners, including their captain Shakib Al Hasan, were particularly ineffective against Pant, as he danced down the track and launched them over the boundary multiple times. His high-risk shots were executed with confidence, making it impossible for the opposition to contain him. By the time Pant was done, Bangladesh had been thoroughly demoralized, and India’s total had ballooned well past the 500-run mark.

India’s Dominance

India’s declaration, setting a daunting target of 515 runs, was a statement of intent. This target is not only massive but almost unassailable, especially considering India’s world-class bowling attack. Bangladesh now faces the herculean task of either surviving for two full days or pulling off a near-miraculous chase—both of which seem highly improbable.

The Indian batting performance was a complete team effort, but Gill and Pant’s centuries stood out as defining moments. The balance between Gill’s class and Pant’s aggression gave India a perfect platform to declare, leaving Bangladesh in a precarious position. The visitors will now have to contend with the spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, who will be eager to exploit the deteriorating pitch.

Bangladesh’s Struggle

For Bangladesh, this match has turned into a battle for survival. Their bowlers toiled hard but found little success against India’s well-set batsmen. Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman, who have been key players for Bangladesh in the past, were unable to break through India’s top order, and their spinners were rendered ineffective by Pant’s counterattack.

In the field, Bangladesh looked deflated, with missed chances and dropped catches adding to their woes. As India piled on the runs, the pressure mounted on the Bangladeshi fielders, who found it increasingly difficult to keep up with the intensity of India’s batting. Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh’s captain, tried everything from bowling changes to aggressive field placements, but nothing seemed to work against the in-form Indian batters.

With the bat, Bangladesh now faces a monumental task. Their top order will need to show tremendous resilience if they are to save the match, and they will have to contend with a pitch that is starting to show signs of wear. The Indian spinners will be licking their lips, knowing that the conditions are now in their favor.

A Perfect Setup for India’s Bowlers

With a lead of 515 runs, India’s bowlers will be raring to go. The pitch in Chennai has started to offer turn and uneven bounce, which will play into the hands of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Both spinners have a stellar record in home conditions, and they will be eager to exploit the cracks and footmarks that have begun to appear on the surface.

India’s fast bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, will also play a key role in applying pressure early on. With the new ball, Bumrah’s ability to extract movement will be vital in breaking through Bangladesh’s top order. Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav will complement Bumrah, providing relentless pace and accuracy to keep Bangladesh on the back foot.

With the pitch likely to deteriorate further, Bangladesh will have to dig deep if they are to avoid a crushing defeat. India, on the other hand, is well-positioned to finish the match with a comprehensive victory.

Conclusion: India’s Commanding Position

India’s decision to declare after setting a target of 515 runs for Bangladesh reflects their supreme confidence in both their batting and bowling departments. Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant’s centuries were the highlights of the innings, with both players showcasing their contrasting styles to perfection. While Gill played with poise and elegance, Pant unleashed a whirlwind of aggressive strokes that left Bangladesh helpless.

As the match heads into its final phase, India holds all the cards. Bangladesh will need to mount an extraordinary effort to either chase down the total or bat out the remaining days to salvage a draw. However, given India’s formidable bowling attack and the challenging nature of the pitch, a result in favor of India seems inevitable.

In Chennai, it was the Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant show, and their centuries will be remembered as the defining moments of a match where India demonstrated their dominance and Bangladesh struggled to keep pace.

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