Shreyas Iyer (29 not out) and Ravichandran Ashwin (42 not out) put up 71 runs in an unbroken eighth-wicket stand to help India reach 145-7 on a nervous fourth day after beginning at 45-4.
Shreyas Iyer and Ravichandran Ashwin’s 71-run partnership came to India’s rescue as the visitors clawed back from a terrible situation to win the second and final Test by three wickets and secure the series 2-0 here on Sunday. Bangladesh were on pace for their first ever Test win over their strong neighbours but Iyer (29 not out off 46 balls) and Aswhin (42 not out off 62 balls) stopped them with an undefeated 71-run partnership off 105 balls.
Off-spinner Mehidy Hazan Miraz (5/63) gave his best on his route to a five-wicket haul, but it was insufficient. India won the series 2-0, increasing their prospects of reaching the World Test Championship final for the second consecutive year.
After the start of play on Sunday, Bangladesh spinners were all over the Indians. When India resumed their innings at 45 for four, Jaydev Unadkat (13) was out in the second over of the day.
Unadkat was caught in front of the stumps by Shakib Al Hasan’s slider after slog sweeping Miraz for a six. Unadkat accepted the review out of desperation but squandered it.
With his counter-attacking strategy, India’s crisis man Rishabh Pant went into the centre and attempted to put pressure back on the opponents. The southpaw had turned the course of the first innings with his 93, but he was caught leg before for nine runs.
Axar Patel (34) became Miraz’s fifth wicket, taking the score to 74 for seven. The straighter one thudded into his pads again before striking the leg stump. India were on the verge of their first defeat against Bangladesh until Iyer and Ashwin gave a light of hope with a tenacious partnership.
Initially content to keep their wicket, Iyer turned the tempo with back-to-back boundaries off Shakib in the 41st over. In the next over, Miraz gave a loose ball, and Iyer was quick to find room and hit it through cover for another boundary.
Bangladesh used speed to break the stand, but the strategy did not work. Ashwin, who was caught at short leg on one, hit two boundaries off right-arm seamer Khaled Ahmed to reduce the goal to 26 runs.
Miraz was brought into the assault as the final throw of the dice, but Aswhin withdrew him for a six before back-to-back boundaries sealed the visitors’ victory.
Despite the victory, India will have a lot to ponder about before the home series against Australia. The shape of the top-order is a major consideration.
India’s decision to rest Kuldeep Yadav following his five-wicket haul in the previous game was also a major discussion topic during the game.
Bangladesh vs. India: Ravichandran Ashwin and Shreyas Iyer Come to the Rescue India, for example Bangladesh has been whitewashed.
