Second Test, Mirpur, day two (close):
Bangladesh 233 v India 459-5
Match scorecard
 Tendulkar hit a six and 13 fours during his 182-ball innings |
India tightened their grip on the second Test against Bangladesh at Mirpur as Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid helped themselves to hundreds. Dravid had to retire hurt on 111 after being struck on the helmet by a bouncer from paceman Shahadat Hossain. But Tendulkar went on to make 143, his 45th Test century, before falling to home skipper Shakib Al Hasan. Their century partnership was their 17th, a new Test record, and India ended play on 459-5, a lead of 226. "I don't believe in counting (centuries). I believe in playing and scoring," Tendulkar said afterwards. "Runs don't come easy. I am of the opinion that no attack can be underestimated. I always apply myself whatever the opposition. I think we have been able to get into a very good position."  | 606: DEBATE |
The tourists, who won the first Test by 113 runs, added 390 runs to their overnight 69-0 during the day as the Bangladesh bowlers toiled to try and keep their side in the game. Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag posted a century stand before Sehwag, on 56, was surprised by a bit of extra lift from Shahadat and gloved a catch to Mushfiqur Rahim. The Bangladesh keeper claimed a second victim when the left-handed Gambhir departed in similar fashion for 68, but this time with 20-year-old Shafiul Islam the successful bowler. The home side had to wait until the final session for their next success as Tendulkar and Dravid, who have a combined total of more than 300 Test caps, overcame shaky starts to put their team firmly in command. Dravid was caught at slip off a no-ball sent down by Rubel Hossain on 28, while Tendulkar was dropped on 27 by Raqibal Hasan and again by the same fielder shortly after reaching his half century.  Shahadat checks on Dravid after felling him with a short ball |
"Missing catches is part of the game. It was tough for the bowlers as the wicket favoured batsmen, but our pacers bowled well," Shahadat commented. Tendulkar's hundred arrived off 134 balls, with Dravid following suit from 178 deliveries - the 29th time he had reached three figures in a Test. They were eventually separated when Shahadat, armed with the second new ball, stunned Dravid with a well-directed bouncer which struck him on the flap protecting his left ear and forced him to return to the dressing room. A hairline fracture of the jaw was later confirmed and Dravid is unlikely to play any further part in the match. "It was our plan to test them with bouncers," Shahadat added. Murali Vijay joined Tendulkar in the middle and together they added 53 before both were removed by Shakib - Tendulkar caught at mid-wicket and Vijay failing to clear Mahmuduallah at mid-on. Islam picked up the wicket of Harbhajan Singh, caught behind for 13, with the final ball of the day, but India skipper Mahendra Dhoni remained on 22 not out. Meanwhile, Harbhajan has been officially reprimanded for breaching the International Cricket Council's code of conduct on day one. The off-spinner kicked and damaged an advertising board after a misfield on the boundary during the Bangladesh innings. "When professional cricketers don't live up to the standards they have set for themselves, they feel disappointed," explained match referee Andy Pycroft. "However, venting their frustrations in this manner is unacceptable."
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