Vijay Shankar (86) and Karun Nair (71) helped India 'A' take the upper hand against Bangladesh 'A' on the penultimate day of their first-class encounter here on Monday.
The duo put on 108 runs for the fourth wicket, giving India 'A' a 183-run first innings lead. Bangladesh 'A' then reached 36 for two at the end of day's play, 147 behind the home side.
Captain Shikhar Dhawan (overnight: 116) did not attack with the same ferocity as yesterday. Dhawan slowly moved to 150, before being trapped on the pads by left-arm spinner Saqlain Sajib. Shreyas Iyer (38 off 55 balls) was comfortable until he was bowled by offie Nasir Hossain after missing a length ball from offie Nasir Hossain.
Shankar and Karun got together at 232 for three. An ordinary bowling by Bangladesh 'A' allowed the duo to settle quickly. The absence of pacers Rubel Hossain and Shafiul Islam--both injured--meant that the attack lacked variety. The spinners who filled in operated with a long-on in place, which allowed for singles. The short balls, which came often, were cut away to the vacant square boundary.
It took an awkward delivery from leg-spinner Jubair Hossain to get rid of Karun. The local lad attempted to pull a half-tracker but the ball kept low and did him in.
There was a two-hour interruption due to rain. Shankar turned aggressive after that. He took on Jubair and Nasir, hoisting them for four massive sixes, moving from 50 to 84 in just 14 balls. The innings was declared immediately after Shankar was cleaned up by Jubair.
Bangladesh 'A' lost two wickets before the close of play. Anamul Haque edged an Ishwar Pandey outswinger with a half-hearted flick, while Soumya Sarkar nicked a vicious turner from off-spinner Jayant Yadav.
Opener Anamul said that Bangladesh 'A' needs to bat exceptionally well on Tuesday to salvage a draw. "The wicket is very good to bat on, but at the moment, we are on the back foot. We have good batsmen, but we need to do very well to get a draw," he said.
