Day-night Test: Kohli’s ton, Ishant’s four-wicket haul put India on brink of win against Bangladesh

A sparkling century by Virat Kohli and Ishant Sharma’s four wickets put India on the cusp of a big win over Bangladesh on just the second day of their debut day-night Test on Saturday.

The tourists were 152/6 at stumps in their second innings, still needing 89 runs to avoid an innings defeat in India’s pink ball Test debut in Kolkata. The fact that there is even a third day needed was only because of a late rearguard action by the visitors to, seemingly, delay the inevitable.

Kohli made 136 as India, who lead the two-match series 1-0, declared their innings on 347/9 and then Ishant rattled the Bangladesh batting.

Ishant struck early to leave Bangladesh tottering at 13/4 before Mushfiqur Rahim made an unbeaten 59 to take the five-day match to day three.

Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah, who retired hurt on 39 with what seemed a hamstring strain, put on 69 runs for the fifth wicket to offer some resistence against a persistent Indian pace attack.

Mushfiqur stayed on to complete his second half-century of the series with concussion substitute Taijul Hasan losing his wicket for 11 to pacer Umesh Yadav and umpires called for end of play.

Mushfiqur survived two leg before wicket decisions that went against him but he successfully reviewed both the calls in his favour.

Ishant trapped Shadman Islam lbw for nought and then claimed skipper Mominul Haque for a second zero in the same match.

The pace spearhead, who claimed five wickets in the first innings, bowled at a lively pace as one of his rising deliveries hit Mohammad Mithun on the helmet but the batsman went on to complete his innings.

Bangladesh were forced to take two concussion substitutes in Mehidy Hasan and Taijul for Liton Das and Nayeem Hasan who were hit on the helmet by Shami on day one.

Earlier, Kohli stood out with his dominant knock and completed his 27th century before falling to a stunning catch by Taijul.

Taijul, a left-arm spinner, made it count with a wicket of Ajinkya Rahane for 51 and then took a diving catch at fine leg to send back Kohli off paceman Ebadat Hossain.

India lost a few quick wickets, but Saha and Shami got a few boundaries and a six by the last man in pulverised the Bangladesh bowlers. Pacers Al-Amin Hossain and Ebadat took three wickets each.

Kohli built crucial partnerships including a 99-run stand with overnight partner Rahane.

The star batsman smashed paceman Abu Jayed for four straight boundaries in one over before finishing with 18 fours in his 194-ball stay.

Kohli put on a masterclass in front-foot batting on his way to yet another Test century. Kohli pushed spinner Taijul Islam for a double in the square leg region to bring up his hundred.

Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja were at the crease during the lunch break with India leading then by 183 runs. India lost the wicket of Ajinkya Rahane in the first session, but not before the vice-captain scored his fourth 50-plus score on the trot in Tests.

India added 115 runs in the first two hours of play.

Kohli scored his 41st international century (across formats) as a captain to equal the record held by Ricky Ponting. The Indian captain, however, took half the number of innings to reach this landmark (188 compared to Ponting’s 376).

Rahane was done in by some extra bounce as he top-edged a Taijul delivery to be holed out at point.

But Kohli, who had become the first Indian skipper to go past the 5000-run mark in the longest format, grew from strength to strength en route to his 70th International hundred.

Kohli hit top gear after his hundred, smashing Bangladeshi pacer Abu Jayed for four successive boundaries to remain unbeaten at 130 from 179 balls at the break.

Kohli had come to the crease under lights with India in a tricky 43/2 inside 13 overs on a day Indian openers had a rare failure.

But the skipper soaked the pressure under lights and batted with both caution and authority for back-to-back Test hundreds at Eden Gardens as India stepped closer to their 12th successive home series win. Kohli’s last ton at the iconic venue had come against Sri Lanka in November 2017.

Earlier, the reigning and former world champion duo of Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand made the opening move by ringing the customary Eden Bell before the start of the second day.

(With PTI and AFP inputs)