5 talking points from Day 2 of the India-Bangladesh Test

1. Kohli surpasses Dravid and the Don

Bangladesh’s fielding standards were poor yesterday, and they were equally bad again today. First it was Sabbir Rahman, who failed to hold on to a tough chance offered by Ajinkya Rahane at deep point. Mushfiqur Rahim then missed a stumping chance, not once but twice, and Wriddhiman Saha took full advantage of the Bangladesh skipper’s generosity by helping himself to a sublime century. Towards the end of the Indian innings, Tamim Iqbal first did not attempt a catch at long-on, instead choosing to go back, and then in the very next over, did go for the catch but failed to hold on to a straightforward catch. We might have seen the end of Bangladesh’s fielding gaffes in this match, though, as it is unlikely they’ll be able to make India bat again.

Yesterday, Bangladesh took a review that might have been the most ridiculous you’ve ever seen. Today again, Bangladesh took a review that in hindsight they would have done best to avoid. On a ball that was missing off-stump, umpire Joel Wilson turned down the appeal and Bangladesh decided to unsuccessfully review it. But again, hindsight, like Bangladesh’s favoured format of the game, is 20/20. 

And while Bangladesh were guilty of using their reviews way too liberally, India were guilty of being too stingy. After Virat Kohli was given out and walked without challenging the umpire’s decision, replays showed that the ball hit the Indian captain’s pad outside the off-stump, and he would have stayed had he decided to review it. He did make up for it, though, when he decided to review a decision in the Bangladeshi innings and that resulted in a wicket.

After showing no signs of any help for the bowlers yesterday, the pitch finally did help the Bangladeshi bowlers a little today. Taijul Islam, who was easily the pick of the Bangladeshi bowlers today, bowled 47 overs and picked up 3 wickets. He created a lot more chances and might have had a few more wickets if the Bangladeshi fielders cooperated. 

Rahane and Kohli had started the day scoring briskly and they had put together 55 in the first 10 overs. Taijul then helped bring the scoring rate down, and beat both the batsmen repeatedly. However, if the pitch continues to turn, it’s only going to create more problems for the Bangladeshi batsmen as Ashwin and Jadeja come into their own.

After India had put up a mountain of runs, Bangladesh needed a good start to have a chance of staying in the game. Although they made full use of Ishant Sharma’s wayward bowling, they still managed to lose a wicket to Umesh Yadav. Not losing a wicket towards the end of the day would have meant the Bangladeshis going back with at least something positive on their minds. On an inswinging delivery, coming in from outside off-stump, Soumya Sarkar got the faintest of edges. It was so faint that even the bowler and keeper were not convinced. But Kohli, buoyed by the confidence shown by Pujara and Vijay, went ahead and challenged the call, and Bangladesh were a wicket down after yet another hard day in the field.