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India fails to capitalize on the early advantage

India was 69 for no loss at the end of the first day of the second test after fiery Virender Shewag and determined Gambhir knocked runs at a rapid pace. Earlier, Zaheer khan and Ishant Sharma reduced Bangladesh to 51 for 5, but, India failed to wrap up the tail as the gritty Mahamudullah remaining unconquered on 96 n.o. offered staunch resistance to guide his team to a respectable if not a match winning total of 233.

Having won the toss, skipper Shakib Al Hasan elected to bat first, and was soon to occupy the center stage when his team was reeling at 44 for four. Imrul Kayes, a victim of a bad decision and Tamim Iqbal were back in the pavilion, both openers out for a blob. Raqibul Hasan and Junaid Siddique were soon exhibiting loose stroke play and paid the penalty too. A defiant 39 from the middle-order batsman Mohammad Asraful who had earlier found a place in the XI amid protests from various quarters had given a glimmer of hope for Bangladesh, before Mohammad Asraful fell a victim to indiscretion when he stepped out to Pragyan Ojha to heave wildly for Dhoni to do the rest.

Harbajan Singh bowled to good line and length, but, claimed only one wicket. Zaheer and Ishant Sharma struck up a good combination, but failed to capitalize on the early success. Though Shakib, scoring 34 runs and Mushfiqur Rahim, his deputy, with 30 runs to his credit, seemed to ignite the hopes in the Bangladesh camp, they were back in the pavilion leaving the gutsy Mahamudullah to play the role of savior to perfection.

India catapulted to the No 1 spot in the ICC ranking has a long way to go in justifying its capabilities as the No 1 test nation. It failed to tighten the noose when the Bangladeshi batsmen were finding it difficult to harness a big partnership, and let the opponents reach a respectable total owing to the lack of sting on the part of the bowlers, who failed to finish the job quickly and assiduously.

Bangladesh still can’t be written off as the second day might unveil tensed moments as both the teams fight to grab the advantage, and to emerge victorious in the second test.

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