Gill, Pant centuries extend India's dominance, Ashwin's treble strike pegs Bangladesh at 158-4 in pursuit of 515

Set a himalayan target of 515 by India, which extended its dominance with breezy centuries by Shubman Gill (119 not out) and left hander Rishab Pant (109), Bangladesh were 158 for four in 37.2 overs at close on the third day of the first cricket test here on Saturday with off spinner R.Ashwin claiming three wickets to peg them back.

The day's play was called off with 9.4 overs still remaining due to bad light.Bangladesh faces an uphill task as it still required 357 runs in two days.

As the pitch eased out and offer little assistance for fast bowlers, Bangladesh, faced with a mounting target, performed better in the second innings, with skipper Najmul Hossian Shanto showing positive intent with an unbeaten 51,despite Ashwin claiming three crucial wickets, as the visitors still has a mountain to climb with two full days remaining.

After 23 wickets fell in the first two days, including 17 yesterday, just five wickets fell today, including four in the final session, which is proof enough that the pitch has eased out.

This was evident, when India resuming at 81 for three, piled up 287 for four thanks to blistering centuries by Gill (170 balls, 10x4, 4x6) and Pant (128 balls, 13x4, 4x6) and their 167 run stand for the fourth wicket in 36.1 overs to put the contest beyond the visitor's reach.

K L Rahul chipped in with a 19-ball 22 (4x4) before India declared its innings, setting a massive target for the visitors with two-and-a-half days remaining.

Bangladesh openers Zakir Hasan 33, 47 balls, 5x4, 1x6) and Shadman Islam (35, 68 balls, 3x4) started positively, adding a defiant 62 runs for the first wicket 16.2 overs.

They scored initially at a good pace hitting a flurry of boundaries with Zakir leading the charge and Shadman dropping anchor at the other end.

However, Zakir, who was timing well, fell against the run of play when his loose shot off pacer Jasprit Bumrah was brilliantly held by Yashaswi Jaiswal at gully.

Bangladesh started to stumble as Ashwin came on board with Shadman's wicket when Gill held a low catch at short midwicket.

Ashwin was in thick of action again as he bowled a peach of a delivery to clean up clean up Mominul Haque (13, 3x4) and also removed an adventurous Mushifur Rahim (13, 11 balls 1x6, 1x4) as Bangladesh slipped from 86 for 1 to 146 for 4.

However, Shanto at the other end offered good resistance, attacking Ashwin as well as left arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja, using his feet and the sweeps to bring up a half-century.

Giving him company was the experienced left hander Shakib Al Hasan who was unbeaten on five when bad light stopped play.(UNI)<>