Pujara, Iyer put India in command against Bangladesh

CHITTAGONG - Cheteshwar Pujara and Shreyas Iyer pulled India out a hole on Wednesday to put their side in a strong position at 278-6 on the opening day of the first Test against Bangladesh.

India made a brisk start in Chittagong but a double strike by Taijul Islam including Shubman Gill for 20 and danger man Virat Kohli for one left the visitors on the back foot on 48-3.

In between stand-in captain KL Rahul had played on off Khaled Ahmed for 22.

A gutsy 46 by Rishabh Pant including six fours and two sixes helped steady the ship before Mehidy Hasan bowled the wicketkeeper-batsman after lunch.

Pujara and Iyer then came together with India on 112-4 and made the bowlers pay despite signs of spin in the first-day track at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

Rock-steady Pujara was bowled by Taijul for his third wicket of the day but not before the Sussex star had grounded out a workmanlike 90 that included 11 fours.

Wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan dropped Pujara off Ebadot Hossain on 12 in the second ball of the second session.

Iyer remained unbeaten at the close on 82, while Axar Patel was out on the last ball of the day for 14, trapped leg-before as the second of off-spinner Mehidy's two wickets.