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Kolkata – Paceman Umesh Yadav claimed five wickets as India thrashed Bangladesh in just over two days of their first day-night Test to sweep the series 2-0 yesterday.
Bangladesh were bowled out for 195 in less than an hour of the first session on day three in Kolkata, as India won by an innings and 46 runs to record their 12th-straight Test series triumph on home soil.
It was a memorable pink-ball international debut for India, who become the only team to win four consecutive Tests by an innings margin.
Virat Kohli’s side – which has now won seven Tests in a row – consolidated their top position in the world Test championship with three successive series sweeps.
Mushfiqur Rahim made a valiant 74 before falling to Yadav, and the innings soon folded as Mahmudullah did not return to bat after he had retired hurt on 39 on day two.
India took 8.4 overs to wrap up the game at Eden Gardens with Yadav taking all the three wickets to fall Sunday afternoon.
Ishant Sharma led the pace charge with impressive match figures of 9-78 to flatten the Bangladesh batting that fell for 106 in their first innings of the opening day.
“With the way these guys are bowling now, they can pick up wickets on any surface – whether we play at home or we play away,” a victorious Kohli said.
“I think it is all about the mindset… these guys are very hungry, they are at the top of their game.
“I feel that we are in the right kind of space right now to capitalise on opportunities and everyone is enjoying playing in this team and I think that’s the standout feature about us.”
Ishant was named man of the match and the series for his 12 wickets in two Tests. Yadav also claimed 12 scalps in the series, while Shami took nine.
Kohli played a key part with his 136 in India’s 347 for nine declared on Saturday as they managed a lead of 241 runs.
The tourists were in early trouble at 13 for four in the final session on day two when Mushfiqur resisted India’s persistent pace attack.
Ishant trapped Shadman Islam lbw for nought and then claimed skipper Mominul Haque, who got a pair of ducks.
The spearhead quickie, 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.
Bangladesh were forced to take two concussion substitutes in Mehidy Hasan and Taijul Islam for Liton Das and Nayeem Hasan who were hit on the helmet by Shami on day one.
Mushfiqur was also at the receiving end of a nasty hit from Yadav, but went on to play a fighting knock.
Kohli completed his 27th century before falling to a stunning catch by Taijul off Ebadat Hossain.
“Definitely, the gap between the two teams is concerning,” Mominul said after the drubbing.
“We’ve got to learn from these two matches and follow up what happened. I think the pink ball was challenging especially because it moved a lot with the new ball.”
India won the opening Test also inside three days, as well as the preceding Twenty20 series 2-1.
Meanwhile, Australia went one up in their two-Test series against Pakistan when they won the first Test by an innings and five runs at the Gabba in Brisbane yesterday.
After beginning their second innings 340 runs behind Australia and then losing three cheap wickets in the afternoon session on Saturday, the Pakistanis put up stern resistance Sunday before finally succumbing late in the final session.
Babar Azam scored a magnificent century and Mohammad Rizwan fell five runs short of his first as Pakistan were dismissed for 335 late on the fourth day.
Leg-spinner Yasir Shah also made his highest Test score with a fighting 42 to allow the Pakistanis to head to the second Test in Adelaide with some momentum despite the loss.
But there was to be no denying an Australian attack on Sunday which probed and struck at vital moments, whenever Pakistan seemed to be getting the upper hand.
Josh Hazlewood was the pick of the Australian bowlers with 4-63, while Mitchell Starc took 3-73, Pat Cummins 2-69 and Nathan Lyon 1-74.
Earlier, Azam reached his second Test century – and his first in Australia – with an impressive knock.
The elegant right-hander had been in excellent form in the lead-up games, but was out to a disappointing shot in the first innings for just one.
He was a different player in the second innings, however, and never looked in trouble until he edged Nathan Lyon to wicketkeeper Tim Paine to fall for 104.
He shared partnerships of 68 with Shan Masood and 132 with Rizwan as Pakistan battled hard throughout the first two sessions.
Rizwan, playing just his second Test, brought up his first half-century off 86 balls with nine boundaries.
He batted with real commitment and looked certain to bring up his maiden Test century until on 95 he tried to upper cut a Hazlewood short ball only to steer it straight to Nathan Lyon at third man.
Yasir Shah continued to hit out, but with only the fast bowlers for company it was only a matter of time before the Australians wrapped up the win.
After resuming their second innings at 64 for three at the start of day four, Masood and Azam showed great commitment to frustrate the Australian attack.
The Pakistan pair looked comfortable from the beginning and brought up their 50-run partnership midway through the first hour’s play.
But on 42 Masood tried to hook a Pat Cummins short ball and got a thin edge to Australian wicketkeeper Paine to leave the visitors 93 for four.
One run later Paine was in the action again when new batsman Iftikhar Ahmed was squared up by a beautiful ball from Josh Hazlewood and could only manage to edge it through to the Australian captain.
Rizwan and Azar kept the momentum going, but once Azar fell Pakistan were always up against it. – AFP.
Online Reporter