First Test, Chittagong, day four (close):
India 243 & 413-8 v Bangladesh 242 & 67-2
Match scorecard
 Gambhir is only the fourth man to score tons in five consecutive Tests |
A fifth century in as many Tests from Gautam Gambhir left India in the driving seat on day four of the first Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong. Gambhir hit 116, while Amit Mishra hit fifty on debut and VVS Laxman an undefeated 69 as India declared their second innings closed on 413-8. Bangladesh were set a target of 415, but lost two wickets before the close. The hosts ended the day on 67-2, with Tamim Iqbal (23) and Mohammad Ashraful (16) at the crease. Opener Gambhir, 28, is only the fourth player in Test history to achieve the feat after Sir Donald Bradman, Jacques Kallis and Mohammad Yousuf. "I never thought I would get five centuries [in a row] and I haven't played for it," he said. "My job is to go out there and keep scoring runs for the team.  | 606: DEBATE |
"I think 415 is a very good target. We wanted to give our bowlers the best chance to win the Test match and for that we have to give them sufficient time to get Bangladesh out." Gambhir reached his ninth Test century, which included 10 fours and a six, in the opening session and as well as reaching three figures in five consecutive Tests, he has now scored a half century in 10 straight Tests. Gambhir's partnership with night-watchman Mishra had reached 98 when Mishra was caught off the bowling of Mohammad Mahmudullah, trying to loft a ball over mid-off. Gambhir was next to go, cutting a ball to third man to deliver a first Test wicket to Shafiul Islam. Rahul Dravid (24) was run out by a direct hit by Shakib Al Hasan, before Sachin Tendulkar, India's first innings century maker and saviour, was out lbw to Rubel Hossain for 16 shortly after lunch. Yuvraj Singh (25) was caught at cover off the bowling of Shahadat Hossain and Dinesh Karthik (27) went when Rubel Hussein took a diving catch at mid-off, giving off-spinner Mahmudullah his second scalp. Bangladesh were inserted shortly after tea and they soon lost opener Imrul Kayes (1), caught behind off the bowling of Zaheer Khan, and Shahriar Nafees (21), caught at gully off Ishant Sharma as they embarked on an unlikely run chase. Bangladesh's highest-ever fourth innings total was 413 against Sri Lanka in 2008, while India have never conceded more than 369 when bowling last.
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