Gambhir posts ton, puts India in control

CHITTAGONG: Gautam Gambhir smashed a sparkling hundred, his fifth in a row,

as India tightened their grip over the first cricket Test against Bangladesh by extending their overall lead to 260 runs at lunch on the fourth day here on Wednesday. Gambhir, the top-ranked batsman in ICC chart, hammered his ninth Test century form just 118 balls with the help of eight fours and a six. The spunky Indian opener notched up his second century against Bangladesh in style, as he hit home team captain and left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan out of the park to reach the three figure mark. At lunch break, first innings centurion Sachin Tendulkar (5) and VVS Laxman (9) were at the crease as India scored 137 runs in the morning session from 31.4 overs to reach 259 for four in their second innings.

Gambhir, who was dropped on 55, was out half-an-hour before lunch break holing out to Shariar Nafees near the boundary to give debutant pacer Shafiul Islam the first wicket of his career. He hit 10 fours and a six in his 129-ball innings. Four out of his five consecutive tons came in the second innings. Rahul Dravid though had a forgettable Test as he was run out for a 50-ball 24 while going for a quick single and he himself was to blame for the disappointment.

Dravid failed to ground his bat when a brilliant direct throw by Shakib dislodged the bails around 15 minutes before lunch. India, who lifted their batting to several notches from their disappointing first innings performance, are now ahead by 260 runs and are in a good position to force a win. Night watchman Amit Mishra played his part with a superb 70-ball 50, his maiden Test half century, which was studded with six four. He was out midway into the opening session off the bowling of Mahmadullah Riad, holing out to Tamim Iqbal while going for a big shot. Resuming at his personal score of 47, Gambhir quietly reached to his 50 in the second over of the morning, consuming 60 balls which included just four boundaries.

He and Mishra played sensible cricket and scored at a brisk pace without taking too many risks, sharing a 98-run partnership from 21.4 balls for the second wicket. They scored mostly in singles and doubles with lots of running between the wicket as play started 45 minutes late from scheduled start of 9 am local time due to foggy conditions. Gambhir was dropped on 55 by Imrul Kayes who failed to react quickly at short leg and snap a thick inside edge after the batsman came down the track and tried to work it square off the bowling of Shakib.