India brings rain-interrupted second test against Bangladesh to life on day four

KANPUR, India (AP) - India launched a calculated assault on Bangladesh on day four of the rain-interrupted second test, bringing the game to life in an abrupt change of events.

The host recorded the highest run-rate ever for a test innings by clocking 200-plus runs - 8.22 per over - to finish with 285-9 declared in 34.4 overs. This was after Bangladesh was bowled out for 233 runs in 74.2 overs in its first innings.

Bangladesh then went down to 26-2 in its second innings with off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin picking 2-14 in five overs. At stumps, the Tigers were trailing by 26 runs.

Day four finished with a staggering 437 runs and 18 wickets across 85 overs.

Play resumed after the past two days were abandoned without a ball bowled due to rain and a wet outfield and Mominul Haque’s 107 not out, his 13th test hundred, helped Bangladesh reach 205-6 at lunch.

In the second session, India rounded off Bangladesh's lower order quickly, picking the last four wickets for 28 runs. Mominul stayed unbeaten after facing 194 deliveries, hitting 17 fours and a six.

Jasprit Bumrah picked up two wickets - Mehidy Hasan Miraz was out caught for 20, while Taijul Islam (5) was bowled. The lead Indian pacer finished with 3-50.

India’s reply sped off from the start and blitzed Bangladesh's bowling, recording the fastest 50 in tests off only 18 deliveries.

Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 30 off 13 balls and Rohit Sharma hit 19 off six balls to liven up the game. They put on 55 runs off only 23 balls for the first wicket, before Sharma fell for 23 off 11 balls.

Jaiswal carried on to score 72 off 51 balls, hitting 12 fours and two sixes, recording the fourth fastest Indian half-century in tests off only 31 balls.

The other Indian batters followed suit as India hunted for an improbable result in the game in light of its potential World Test Championship 2025 final qualification.

Shubman Gill scored 39 off 36 balls, with Rishabh Pant - promoted to number four - the sole top-order failure with nine runs.

Jaiswal and Gill added 72 off 63 balls, notching up the fastest 100 in tests off only 10.1 overs. And there was more to come despite losing Jaiswal, Gill and Pant in the span of five overs, down to 159-4 from 127-1.

Virat Kohli and Lokesh Rahul then came together to inflict further damage to Bangladesh. They put on 87 off 59 balls for the fifth wicket as India regained momentum in its first innings.

Kohli scored 47 off 35 balls, including four fours and a six, while Rahul scored 68 off 43 balls, hitting two sixes and seven fours.

Bangladesh's bowlers went for plenty in a short span of time, with Mehidy Hasan the most successful bowler (4-41) going at only 6.1 runs per over.

This quick charge allowed India to declare late in the extended day and bowl again at Bangladesh batters.

India leads the two-match series after winning the first test in Chennai by 280 runs.

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