Shikhar Dhawan's unbeaten hundred devastates Bangladesh A

Bengaluru: Apart from proving his fitness, India ‘A’ captain Shikhar Dhawan showcased his blazing form for the upcoming South Africa series plundering an entertaining century against Bangladesh ‘A’ on the opening day of the three-day game here at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday.

With opener Dhawan (116 batting, 112b, 16x4, 2x6) and Shreyas Iyer (6 batting) in the middle, India were 161 for one at close of play, after shutting out Bangladesh for 228. The hosts were off to a flying start as a ferocious Dhawan flayed the visitors’ attack along with a sedate Abhinav Mukund (34, 78b, 4x4) stitching a 186-ball 153 for the first wicket before Shuvagata Hom squared up Mukund.

Earlier, pacer Varun Aaron (4/45) sent a notice to the selectors as did Jayant Yadav (4/28) to pile misery on the visitors, who registered six ducks. Only the gritty Sabbir Rehman stood tall amidst the ruins with an unbeaten 122 (131b, 23x4, 1x6) while only two other batsmen managed to crossed double figures.

Asked to bat first, Bangla’s disastrous tour continued from where it had began two weeks ago. Dhawan’s decision to bowl first needed just 28 minutes to be justified as the Indian pace attack slashed through the Bangla top-order.

Spearhead Aaron was spot on packing off opener Soumya Sarkar (0), Mominul Haque (2) and Liton Das (0) while Ishwar Pandey snared Anamul Haque (0). The tinge of grass and seaming conditions aided the pacer duo as Bangla ‘A’ slumped to 6/4.

Bangla badly needed a partnership at this stage. Having been their saviour throughout the series, a reliable Nasir Hossain (38, 28b, 7x4) counter-attacked dealing in boundaries. The approach worked well in favour as the all-rounder swiftly added 44 (50b) with Rehman for the fifth wicket.

With the Aaron-Pandey duo making early inroads, the recently-engaged Abhimanyu Mithun too joined the party having Hossain caught behind as ‘keeper Naman Ojha completed four dismissals.

At 50 for 5, the visitors were on the verge of a total collapse before Hom (62, 95b, 9x4, 1x6) collaborated with Rehman to steady the ship. Rehman took charge of the pacers smashing boundaries through backward point and covers. The introduction of left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja failed to bring any change as the visitors went into lunch at 106/5.

In the second session, Rehman and Shuvagata gave Bangla the much-needed respite with a 132-run (168b) crucial partnership for the sixth wicket before the latter fished at an Aaron outswinger to Karun Nair at second slip.

In his effort to grab his fourth first-class five-wicket haul, Aaron’s inconsistent length gave Rehman enough room to swing his bat around. Before running out of partners, Rehman reached his hundred with an adventurous slog over mid-on. For the seventh wicket, Rehman added 38 runs with Saqlain Sajib (4) to take them past 200. Skipper Dhawan replaced Aaron with Jayant and within no time, the off-spinner sealed the fate of  the tail-enders.

Scoreboard

Bangladesh ‘A’: Anamul Haque c Naman b Ishwar 0, Soumya Sarkar c Naman b Aaron 0, Mominul Haque c Naman b Aaron 2, Liton Das c Aparajith (sub) b Aaron 0, Sabbir Rehman (not out) 122, Nasir Hossain c Naman Ojha b Mithun A 32, Shuvagata Hom c Nair b Aaron 62, Saqlain Sajib lbw Yadav 4, Shafiul Islam b Yadav 0, Rubel Hossain b Yadav 0, Jubair Hossain lbw Yadav 0.
Extras (nb-1, w-0, b-0, lb-5) 6. Total (in 52.4 overs) 228
FoW: 1-0, 2-2, 3-2, 4-6, 5-50, 6-182, 7-220, 8-220, 9-228
Bowling: Ishwar 11-2-48-1, Aaron 11-1-45-4, Mithun A 11-2-51-1, Jadeja 9-0-35-0, Yadav 7.4-3-28-4, Shankar 3-1-16-0
India ‘A’: Abhinav Mukund b Hom 34, Shikhar Dhawan (batting) 116, Shreyas Iyer (batting) 6.
Extras (nb-1, wd-0, b-4) 5. Total (1 wicket in 33 overs) 161
FoW: 1-153
Bowling: Shafiul Islam 3-1-10-0, Rubel 2.5-1-16-0, Soumya 0.1-0-0-0, Hom 9-2-37-1, Sajib 8-0- 45-0, Jubair 4-0-35-0, Nasir 6-1-14-0.