India destroy Bangladesh to win sixth consecutive Test series

Hyderabad: India have defeated Bangladesh by 208 runs to extend their unbeaten streak in Test matches to 19.

After piling on a mammoth 687 in the first innings with skipper Virat Kohli getting a double century, India dismissed Bangladesh for 388 before making a quick 159 in the second innings to set the visitors a target of 459.

India picked up three Bangladesh wickets before the end of day's play on Day 4 and started brightly on the final day as Ravindra Jadeja got rid of Shakib Al Hasan. After that, Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin picked up wickets at regular intervals to skittle out the Bangla Tigers for 250 to claim victory.

Ravindra Jadeja has removed Mehedi Hasan and Taijul Islam to put India on the brink of victory here.

Ishant Sharma troubled the Bangladeshi batsmen on day five of the one-off Test as India took big strides to win the Hyderabad Test on Monday. The Indian pacer dismissed Mahmudullah and Sabbir Rahman in second session as India moved closer to victory.

In the first session, Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin pushed Bangladesh on the backfoot as India, chasing victory, started the final day on a bright note.

Jadeja struck in the third over on day five and dismissed Shakib Al Hasan. The ball bounced from the rough spot outside the off-stump and Shakib could not keep the ball down as Pujara took an easy catch at the forward short-leg.

While Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim tried to steady the ship, R Ashwin struck in his first over to remove Bangladeshi skipper.

A fighting half-century from Bangladesh's Mahmudullah kept India at bay despite two wickets falling before lunch on the final day.

Mahmudullah, who began the day on nine, was on 58 having shrugged off a run of low scores to record his 13th Test fifty. Sabbir Rahman was not out 18.

India's Ravichandran Ashwin, who in his 45th Test had become the fastest bowler to claim 250 Test wickets on Sunday, has taken three of the five wickets to fall while Ravindra Jadeja has the other two.

India are favourites to win as Bangladesh will battle to secure a draw. While Virat Kohli-led Indian side needs seven wickets to win the lone Test, Bangladesh, who ended day four at 103/3, require 356 runs to clinch what could be a sensational win.

Earlier, India's spinners sent back the top three Bangladesh batsmen in the second innings of the one-off Test at Hyderabad on Sunday to keep the hosts on course for victory.

Shakib Al Hasan was unbeaten on 21 for Bangladesh with Mahmudullah nine not out at the other end.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who during the day became the fastest to reach 250 wickets in Tests, dismissed Tamim Iqbal (3) and Mominul Haque (27) while spin partner Ravindra Jadeja picked up the wicket of Soumya Sarkar, who made 42.

Sarkar and Mominul added 60 for the second wicket but both left-handers were out in the space of 14 deliveries, dampening the touring side's hopes of saving the Test match.

Cheteshwar Pujara hit an unbeaten 54 off 58 balls as India declared their second innings on 159 for four at tea.

The hosts batted for 29 overs and scored at a rate of more than five runs per over with useful contributions from captain Virat Kohli (38) and Ajinkya Rahane (28). Paceman Taskin and Shakib shared the four Indian wickets.

In the morning session, Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim registered his fifth Test hundred before his side were bundled out for 388 as the hosts took a first-innings lead of 299.

The 29-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman was the last man out for his side on 127 with Bangladesh's innings ending shortly before lunch. Kohli opted against enforcing the follow-on after his bowlers needed almost an entire session to pick up Bangladesh's last four wickets.

Resuming on 322-6, the visitors got off to a bad start as seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar breached the defence of half-centurion Mehedi Hasan with the fourth ball of the morning without a run being added to their overnight total.

Paceman Umesh Yadav, the most impressive of India's bowlers, got Taijul Islam to glove one back to wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha, raising fears for Mushfiqur that he could run out of partners before reaching three figures.

However, Taskin Ahmed stayed with his captain for a 39-run ninth-wicket stand, during which Mushfiqur scored freely.

The diminutive right-hander top-edged Ishant Sharma for a six and then reached his century when the lanky bowler miss-fielded near the boundary to allow a four.

He was finally out, caught down the leg side to Ashwin, who reached 250 test wickets with the dismissal.

Umesh finished with three wickets, while Ashwin and Jadeja picked up two wickets apiece.