Musings: India on top after day one of 2nd Test

written by indianachu at Sunday, January 24, 2010

Mirpur: Mahmudullah's grit was not enough as India skittled out Bangladesh for a modest total and then got off to a flying start to take early control of the second and final Test on Sunday. The opening day belonged to India as Ishant Sharma (4/66) and Zaheer Khan (3/62) decimated the Bangladesh top and middle order to reduce the hosts to 127 for seven.

Batting at number eight, Mahmudullah, however, refused to throw in the towel and showed exemplary grit, even though he was stranded four runs away from his maiden Test century as his side folded for 233. Mahmudullah's was a sterling 156-ball knock studded with 13 fours.

The last two wickets produced 78 crucial runs that lent some respectability to the home side's total. In reply, India milked 69 runs off the 13 overs they faced with Virender Sehwag (41 off 40 balls) and Gautam Gambhir (26 off 38 balls) scoring at a brisk rate while staying put at stumps.

India would return on Monday to first wipe out the 164 run deficit and then push for a big total to bat the hosts out of the match and complete a 2-0 rout in the series.

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