Cheteshwar Pujara remained 54 not out in the second innings against Bangladesh. Image Source: BCCI[/caption]Internet Desk: Indian top order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara scored an unbeaten half-century as the hosts declared their second innings at 159 for 4 at tea on day 4. Mushfiqur’s men will now have to chase a huge target of 459 to win the one-off Test, at Hyderabad.
Pujara scored a quickfire 54 not out of 58 balls on the other hand skipper Virat Kohli backed him well, as he scored 38 of only 40 deliveries after India bowled out the visitors for 388 in their first innings in the first session.
A cushion of 299 was good enough for the hosts to go for the jugular even though openers Murali Vijay (7) and Lokesh Rahul (10) were dismissed in quick succession by Taskin Ahmed (2/43).
But Pujara and Kohli upped the ante with an aim of having a go at Bangladesh on the fourth day itself. During their 67-run partnership, Pujara surprisingly was the aggressor even as Kohli was scoring at a quick pace.
Using Taskin Ahmed's pace to his advantage, Pujara hooked him behind the square for a six. Kohli was not the one to be left behind as he lofted Shakib Al Hasan effortlessly for a six over long-on.
Pujara drove left-arm spinner Taijul Islam through covers and had another glorious shot through same region of Taskin Ahmed. A firm push through mid-on was a treat to watch.
Kohli also got a boundary with a cover drive off Taskin.
The 50 stand was achieved at run-a-ball.
Just when Kohli was about to shift gears, a poor shot led to his downfall with Mahmudullah Riyadh taking a smart catch at short mid-wicket off Shakib Al Hasan's bowling. He hit two fours and a six.
Ajinkya Rahane, having regained confidence after his first innings 82, followed team diktat hitting 25 off 31 balls with a couple of boundaries and a six off Mehedi Hasan Miraz.
He was bowled trying to hit Shakib out of the park.
With declaration in mind, Ravindra Jadeja was promoted up the order to consolidate the lead before tea.
Jadeja was dropped by Miraz off the second delivery he faced and the ball went for a boundary. The next was dispatched over long-on fence.
Pujara, in the meanwhile completed his second half century off the match in 57 balls. In all, he hit six boundaries and a six.
With inputs from PTI.
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