Cricket: India survive serious scare in Bangladesh test

A historic test victory was just out of Bangladesh's reach. Photo / AP

Ravichandran Ashwin and Shreyas Iyer held their nerve to help India clinch a three-wicket victory against Bangladesh in the second cricket test this afternoon.

They shared 71 runs with a mix of caution and aggression on an extremely turning wicket after Bangladesh closed in on a historic victory, reducing India to 74-7.

Ashwin was unbeaten on 42 off 62, a knock which included four fours and one six, with Iyer on 29 off 46 with four boundaries as India raced to the victory target of 145-7 on the first session on day four.

Ashwin, who also took six wickets in the match, including 4-71 in the first innings, fittingly hit a boundary through mid-on against offspinner Mehidy Hasan to ensure the victory and finally helped the side sweep the two-match test series. The visitors won the first test by 188 runs. India earlier lost the three-match ODI series 2-1.

After India resumed at 45-4 on tricky surface, Bangladesh, who started this year with a landmark test win on New Zealand soil, were a chance to end the year with their first test victory in 13 attempts against India.

The home side got the success in just the second over of the day, with captain Shakib Al Hasan (2-50) trapping Jaydev Unadkat leg-before for 13. Mehidy, who took 5-67 for his ninth five-for in test cricket. then brought Bangladesh closer to a victory, striking twice in his successive two overs.

He rattled the stump of Axar Patel for 34, with a delivery that turned viciously and had Rishbah Pant, the highest scorer for India in the first innings, leg-before for just nine.

But Ashwin and Iyer refused to give up. They took the disciplined Bangladesh spin attack to precision and most importantly held their nerve.

Ashwin could have gone for just one had Mominul Haque not put down a catch at short leg off a delivery from Mehidy. He and Iyer then played smartly to take the side to victory.

The win helped India move to second position behind Australia in the World Test Championship points table.

Bangladesh were all out for 227 in their first innings, after opting to bat first. India racked up 314 to take an 87-run lead and the home side batted poorly again to be bowled out for 231 in the second innings, setting India a 145-run target to win the game, which, after a scare, they did.

- AP