India’s ace spinner Ravichandran Ashwin took three crucial wickets to push Bangladesh onto the backfoot in their massive chase of 515 runs during the first Test in Chennai.
At stumps on Day 3, Bangladesh was 158/4, with skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto unbeaten on 51, and Shakib Al Hasan holding the fort on 5.
Bangladesh had a solid start with openers Shadman Islam (35) and Zakir Hasan (33) putting up a 62-run partnership. However, Jasprit Bumrah broke the stand by dismissing Zakir, caught in the slips by Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Ashwin quickly added pressure by removing Shadman and further claimed the key wickets of Mominul Haque (13) and veteran Mushfiqur Rahim (13), leaving Bangladesh struggling at 146/4.
Bangladesh still needs 357 runs to win with six wickets in hand, and Shanto’s fight alongside Shakib will be crucial on Day 4 if they are to attempt a comeback.
India will look to push for a win on Day 4, while Bangladesh will hope for a resilient fightback from Shanto and Shakib.
