Rishabh Pant shines with century as India leads Bangladesh in first test

On day three of the first test match in Chennai, Rishabh Pant made a remarkable return to test cricket by scoring 109 runs off 128 balls, marking his sixth test century. His innings was pivotal in India's second innings total of 287-4 declared, setting a daunting target of 515 runs for Bangladesh. Alongside Pant, Shubman Gill also contributed significantly with an unbeaten 119 runs, as the duo formed a formidable partnership of 167 runs for the fourth wicket. Bangladesh faced a challenging situation in their response, ending the day at 158-4 after 37.2 overs. Their captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, managed to hold the innings together with a score of 51 not out, while Shakib al Hasan remained at the crease with 5 not out. The team struggled after tea, losing four wickets, which put them in a precarious position as they required 357 runs to win. The match saw a stark contrast in the batting performance compared to the first two days, where 23 wickets fell. Ravichandran Ashwin played a crucial role in dismantling the Bangladesh batting order, taking 3 wickets for 63 runs. His ability to generate bounce and induce false shots from the batters was instrumental in India's bowling strategy. Pant's century was particularly noteworthy as it came after a long hiatus from the game due to injuries, highlighting his resilience and skill. His performance, along with Gill's, has given India a significant edge in the match, putting them in a strong position to secure victory.