IND BAN 2nd Test: India suffered a huge scare on Saturday as they slipped to 45/4, needing 100 more to win the Dhaka Test. Bangladesh ran riot as India lost Shubman Gill, Kl Rahul, Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara in single digits late on Day 3. Despite the collapse, India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj is confident of success, backing Rishabh Pant to take the team over the line on Christmas Day. Follow India vs Bangladesh LIVE Updates on Insidesport.IN
“There is no need to panic. We have lost two more wickets than we would have liked, but Axar has shown that a set batter can help in the chase. There is Rishabh Pant left to come, with Shreyas Iyer and Ravichandran Ashwin also there. There’s no overthinking this,” said Mohammed Siraj in the post-match press conference.
IND BAN 2nd Test: ‘Don’t worry, we have Rishabh Pant’ – Mohammed Siraj relaxed & confident despite Day 3 collapse, backs India to seal Dhaka Test – Check out
India suffered a top-order meltdown chasing a small victory target of 145. Mehidy Hasan struck triple blows to keep alive Bangladesh’s hopes of a victory in the 2nd test on Saturday. India are precariously placed at 45-4, needing another 100 runs to win on a pitch that is aiding spin.
Axar Patel played a fighting hand of 26* as India’s top 4 all registered single-digit scores. The collapse suggested warning signs for India, who promoted both Axar Patel and Jaydev Unadkat to see out the day.
Despite that, India remain confident of the victory claimed by fast bowler Mohammed Siraj. Speaking at the post-match presser, Siraj reassured that there was no need to panic on Saturday. The visitors still have Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer to bat, with Ashwin also left to play.
“I feel we shouldn’t think too much now because we have lost just four wickets. We need around 80 (100) or so. We need just one batter to get set, Axar is showing the right intent,” Siraj said during the press conference.
“Yes, we lost two extra wickets but Axar is set, he is showing good intent. We also have Rishabh (Pant) and Shreyas (Iyer) after that, so we shouldn’t think too much,” he added.
IND BAN 2nd Test: ‘Don’t worry, we have Rishabh Pant’ – Mohammed Siraj relaxed & confident despite Day 3 collapse, backs India to seal Dhaka Test – Check out
Rishabh Pant has often been India’s crisis man in Test cricket. In the first innings, the left-hander scored a quick-fire 93 to take India into the lead. Shreyas ably supported him with a fine hand of 87. The onus will be on the duo once again to seal the chase and keep India’s WTC hopes alive. If India overhauls 145, it will be the third-highest successful fourth-innings chase in Mirpur. The top three winning scores are 209, 205 and 103.
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