Sachin, Dravid put India in complete command

Tendulkar & Dravid smashed tons as India took a firm grip of the final Test against Bangladesh with 226-run lead.

Vineet Sharma/Zeecric.com

Mirpur: India lost the plot somehow towards the end of the second day’s play, losing five wickets on an otherwise brilliant day for run-hunting. Registering 459/5 at stumps, the visitors lead by 226 runs owing to the superior batting performance by modern day cricket’s best technical batsmen, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. Tendulkar got out after scoring a sublime 143, his second consecutive Test century. He was claimed by Shakib Al Hasan due to a misplaced shot into the hands of Imrul Kayes. His wicket was followed up by the departure of Murali Vijay after toiling for his thirty runs. It was craftsmanship of the most elegant batsmen in the world on display as Tendulkar slammed his 45th Test century after the same had been done by the “Wall’ (29th ton) at the other end. Dravid however, was retired hurt after a nasty blow to his face. Rahul Dravid played the role of the anchor to the hilt, slamming a well crafted ton that took India to a commanding position in their first innings against a hapless looking Bangladesh who had themselves to blame, dropping both Sachin and Dravid early-on in their innings. Sachin gave nothing short of what is expected of him…sheer brilliance. The Master Crafter powered India past the 350-run mark, so as to earn his nation yet another victory if the bowlers matched the performance. Scorecard: India Vs Bangladesh» Interestingly, all the four top batsmen clicked right from the word go, placing India in a commanding position against a toothless Bangla attack. The veterans, Dravid and Tendulkar, had kept the Indian challenge alive as the total inched towards 200-run mark at Mirpur as the scorecard read 177/2 at lunch. Virender Sehwag was the first Indian wicket to fall on the second day’s morning. He was caught behind the wicket off Shahadat Hossain’s dug-in delivery at a score of 56 runs. This was followed with the departure of Gautam Gambhir at 68. The Delhi blaster had started proceedings in his typical fashion, slamming his 21st Test fifty as India raced past the 100 run-mark. Gambhir, his wingman and the batsman chasing Don Bradman’s record, was solid at the other end and slammed a fifty too but fell before materializing the dream.The first Day of the second Test against Bangladesh had ended with India registering 69/0 at stumps after Mahmudullah was left stranded on 96 not out as the hosts were all-out for a paltry 233 in their first innings.The Indian batsman came out to bat and ensured that the advantage was not allowed to slip away. Sehwag and Gambhir took off in familiar fashion, batting with a mix of caution and aggression.