Bangladesh face uphill battle after India declare with 515-run target
With a massive target of 515 runs set by India, the Tigers need to muster a remarkable performance in the final innings to secure an unlikely win.
Bangladesh face a daunting task in their pursuit of victory in the opening Test against India, reaching 158 for 4 at stumps on Day 3.
India began Day 3 resuming their innings at 81 for 3, aiming to extend their lead. The fourth-wicket partnership between Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant proved to be a turning point, as they added a remarkable 167 runs together. Gill was the star of the show, finishing the day unbeaten on 119 runs from 176 balls, while Pant contributed a quick-fire 109 off 128 deliveries. Their centuries not only bolstered India's score but also ensured that Bangladesh would be set a record target for the fourth innings.
The Indian innings saw some steady contributions from KL Rahul as well, who scored an unbeaten 22 runs off just 19 balls. Ultimately, India declared their second innings at 287 for 4, leaving Bangladesh with a daunting task to chase down the 515-run target—the highest ever set for a fourth innings at the Chepauk Stadium. This record surpasses the previous mark of 482 runs established by England against India in 2021, a match England went on to win.
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The Bangladesh bowlers faced considerable challenges throughout India's innings. Although pacers Nahid Rana and Taskin Ahmed managed to take early wickets, they struggled to maintain their momentum. Rana finished with figures of 1 for 21, while Taskin took 1 for 22. Mehidy Hasan Miraz was the standout bowler for Bangladesh, claiming 2 wickets for 103 runs across 25 overs. Hasan Mahmud, who shone with a five-wicket haul in the first innings, delivered 11 wicketless overs, while Shakib Al Hasan also had a quiet outing, finishing with 0 for 50 in 13 overs.
As Bangladesh began their chase, the openers Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam provided a promising start, adding 62 runs for the first wicket. However, the partnership was broken when Zakir was dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah for 33 runs. Shadman followed soon after, falling to Ravichandran Ashwin for 35, which left Bangladesh reeling at 62 for 2.
Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim attempted to stabilize the innings but were both dismissed cheaply, scoring just 13 runs apiece. However, skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto stepped up to the occasion, showing resilience and skill as he guided the innings with a solid unbeaten 51. His presence at the crease is crucial for Bangladesh as they look to keep their hopes alive in the face of adversity.
As Day 3 came to a close, Bangladesh remained in a precarious position, requiring an additional 357 runs to claim victory. The team's performance has been a mixture of promise and struggle, and with one day remaining, they will need a monumental effort to achieve a historic win.
With the prospect of rewriting history, the focus will now be on Bangladesh's batting lineup to rise to the occasion and chase down the unprecedented target. As the match heads into its final day, fans and players alike will be hoping for a memorable turnaround.
