Three for Mehidy as India stutter in 145-run chase

India 314 (Pant 93, Iyer 87, Taijul 4-74, Shakib 4-79) and 45 for 4 (Mehidy Hasan 3-12) need 100 runs to beat Bangladesh 227 (Mominul 84, Umesh 4-25, Ashwin 4-71) and 231 (Litton 73, Zakir 51, Axar 3-68)

Dhaka: Bangladesh bowlers struck early in the innings to dismiss India's top order leaving visitors reeling at 45/4 and needing 100 more runs to win at the time of stumps of Day three of the ongoing second Test here at the Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka on Saturday.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz scalped three wickets as India finished the day at 45/4, still, 100 runs away from a victory.

After suffering dismissals of star batters like Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and Cheteshwar Pujara within the 20 overs of the game, Axar Patel handled struggling India's charge and is unbeaten at 26 runs off 54 deliveries with the help of three fours.

Earlier, Indian bowlers bundled out them for 231.

At the time of lunch, Bangladesh were tottering at 71 for four after Indian bowlers struck again and again and destroyed the host's top order, taking an upper hand in the match.

Bangladesh resumed their innings at 71/4, Zakir Hasan and Litton Das handled the charge as they slammed Indian bowlers all around the ground while gathering singles at regular intervals.

In the 41st over of the game, Zakir Hasan brought up his half-century in 129 balls as he slammed a beautiful front foot straight drive past the bowler for three runs.

However, Hasan's half-century stint at the crease was cut short as he was dismissed by Umesh Yadav after scoring 51 runs off 135 deliveries.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz then came out to bat but the latter could not do much as he was sent packing by Axar without opening his run tally.

The right-handed batter Nurul Hasan then came out to bat.

Litton played with aggression slamming Indian bowlers for boundaries while Hasan played a supporting role taking singles at regular intervals.

In the 54th over of the game, Nurul Hasan's stint at the crease was cut short as Axar delivered a stunning delivery to dismiss the batter.

Hasan was removed after playing a knock of 31 off 29 deliveries with two fours and one six, leaving Bangladesh tottering at 159/7.

New batter Taskin Ahmed then came out to join hands with Litton. Well set dangerous batter Litton brought up his fierce fifty in 74 balls as Virat Kohli put down another catch at first slip.

Litton slammed Ravichandran Ashwin for 10 runs with the help of one stunning four and singles at regular intervals.