‘Bailing team out more important than milestones’

Bangladesh might feel that they were in a position from which they would have been able to restrict India to a smaller total but courtesy of a crucial partnership between Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant, India eventually took an 87-run first-innings lead on Day 2 of the second Test in Mirpur yesterday.

India, at one point, were struggling at 94 for four in reply to Bangladesh's 227 in the first innings before Iyer and Pant steadied the rocking ship for the visitors. The duo added 159 runs for the fifth wicket that eventually helped India post a commendable 314 in their first innings.

However, both Iyer and Pant were denied hundreds. Pant was dismissed by Mehedi Hasan Miraz after a 93-run knock while Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan accounted for the wicket of Iyer, on 87.

"Definitely, it hurts as a batter (missing out on a hundred) but at the same time, I look at it in a positive way as I went out in a tough situation and I bailed out my team. That is more important for me than getting to a landmark score," Iyer said after the day's play.

"I thought that I was pretty decisive today and yes, their bowlers maintained a good line and length. At the same time, Rishabh also took on the bowlers from the opposite end and it was phenomenal to see that as it eases the pressure," Iyer heaped praise on Pant's aggressive knock that included seven boundaries and five maximums.

Bangladesh will resume Day 3 on seven without loss, trailing by 80 runs in their second innings. Asked if the game would proceed till the fifth day of the Test, Iyer informed that it was too early to predict the fate of the game.