‘Thodi der k liye wahan pe….’ – Fans relieved as Shreyas Iyer, Ravichandran Ashwin save the day for India against Bangladesh

Bangladesh and India locked horns for the second and last match of the Test series in Mirpur. The visitors, India were leading the series 1-0 after winning the first Test by 188 runs. In this game, they needed to win this game to win the series and reach closer to World Test Championship 2021-23 final. Meanwhile, the home won the toss and decided to bat first on a green surface.

However, India bowled decently and bowled out the opposition for 227 runs. Shakib Al Hasan’s men lost the last five wickets for just 15 runs. For the team, former skipper Monimul Haque got back his batting form with 84 runs. Apart from him, no batter could cross the 30-run mark. On the other hand, Umesh Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin took four wickets. Jaydev Unadkar took two.

In reply, KL Rahul’s men got off to a poor start as they lost four wickets for just 94 runs. Players such as Shubman Gill, Chesteshwar Pujara, and Virat Kohli got starts but failed to convert them into big scores due to poor shot selections. However, thanks to Rishabh Pant (93) and Shreyas Iyer (87), the World Number Two Test side reached 314, led by 87 runs at the time.

For Bangladesh, Shakib and Taijul Islam took four wickets. In the second innings, India needed to pick quick wickets to either chase a low target or win the game by an innings altogether. They started well with six wickets for 113 runs and Bangladesh led by only 26 runs. However, thanks to Litton Das (73) and 31 runs each from Nurul Hasan and Taksin Ahmed, the team reached 231 all-out.

India was asked to chase down 145 runs on a tricky wicket

Thanks to Bangladesh’s fightback, India was asked to chase 145 runs on a wicket that has been tricky. They had a poor start and looked like losing the game as they lost seven wickets for 74 runs. At this stage, the likes of Shreyas Iyer and Ravichandran Ashwin saved the day for the team with a partnership of unbeaten 71 runs to take the team over the line. They won the game by three wickets.

This is how Twitter reacted

India will win this… and then the world will be reminded about the character of the team, how it’s a team game and everyone sticks around to help each other! #BANvIND

— Arani Basu (@AraniBasuTOI) December 25, 2022

Today is the only seventh occasion in history when a Test match is being played on a Christmas Day!
The last occasion occurred 40 years ago in the Karachi Test match, which also involved India!#IndvBan #IndvsBan#BanvInd #BanvsBan

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) December 25, 2022

Bangladesh will feel the pressure now. Remember, Bangladesh don't have the experience of getting over the line against India when the match has gotten this close. Games in ICC tournaments come to mind. #BANvIND

— Vishesh Roy (@vroy38) December 25, 2022

https://twitter.com/thefield_in/status/1606882227354492929?s=20&t=jco5ksfUCHA46cPOjjtyvw

https://twitter.com/Cricketracker/status/1606880465801326592?s=20&t=jco5ksfUCHA46cPOjjtyvw

Indian fans right now #BANvIND pic.twitter.com/UIRinWm9kk

— All About Cricket (@allaboutcric_) December 25, 2022

Shreyas Iyer is probably India's best player of spin currently. #BANvIND

— Jigar Mehta (@jigsactin) December 25, 2022

Ash Anna The Finisher #BANvIND pic.twitter.com/c42jlsK8jV

— Pratik (@122mlongsix) December 25, 2022

India beats Bangladesh by 3 Wickets to seal the series 2-0#BANvIND #INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/3JW8jP4kuN

— RVCJ Media (@RVCJ_FB) December 25, 2022

Shreyas-Ashwin partnership takes India from 74/7 to 145/7 to win.

They contribute 48.96% of the team total. The highest contribution ever for 8th or lower wicket in a successful Test chase.#BANvIND

— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) December 25, 2022