CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh, 18 December 2004 — Rahul Dravid and Gautam Gambhir lashed big hundreds as India piled up 334 for two on the opening day of the second and final Test against Bangladesh yesterday.
Dravid stroked a masterly 145 not out, his 18th test century, and opener Gambhir reached three figures for the first time in Tests before falling for 139 to end a second-wicket partnership of 259.
Sachin Tendulkar, seeking a world record 35th Test hundred, was 36 not out at the close.
Bangladesh, with 30 losses from 33 Tests, the previous one by an innings and 140 runs in Dhaka last week, began well after Indian captain Saurav Ganguly won the toss and elected to bat. Seamer Mashrafe Mortaza struck in the fifth over when he dismissed the dangerous Virender Sehwag for 10, edging a wide ball to captain Habibul Bashar at first slip.
It was all downhill from there, however, as Gambhir and Dravid took over.
The left-handed Gambhir, 23, atoned for his Delhi team mate’s failure as he played punishing cuts and backfoot drives to take India to 106 for one at lunch.
Gambhir hit debutant seamer Nazmul Hossain for four fours in one over as he and Dravid feasted on loose bowling and fielding.
He spent some nervous moments in the 90s but cut left-arm spinner Manjural Rana to point for four and took a quick single to mid-on to reach his hundred.
Gambhir, who gave one half chance when he came close to being caught and bowled by left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique, was out after tea, edging an attempted pull off Hossain on to his stumps. He hit 19 fours and faced 196 balls. Gambhir was thrilled, after being dismissed on 96 during the home series against South Africa last month.
“I’m, obviously very, very happy, it’s always a dream to get the first hundred,” he said.
Dravid, looking to end a run of poor scores, played delightful drives through cover and hit classy backfoot drives down the ground.
He was on 99 at tea, but cut medium-pacer Talha Jubair to point for four in the first over after the interval to reach his hundred.
Dravid became only the fourth player to score centuries against all nine test countries, emulating Australia’s Steve Waugh, South African Gary Kirsten and Tendulkar. He has hit 21 fours in his 275-ball knock, also becoming the first player to make test hundreds in all the other Test-playing countries.
“It’s always nice to get a hundred,” Dravid said. “The wicket was very good, mainly flat. Once you got set, it’s a question of being able to back yourself.”
India retained the team that won the first Test in Dhaka by an innings and 140 runs. Bangladesh made three changes, dropping middle-order batsman Rajin Saleh, all rounder Mushfiqur Rahman and medium-pacer Tapash Baisya.
