The experienced Axar Patel increased the stakes on Day 4 with a triple strike just when it needed as Indian bowlers made up for a lacklustre first session by holding Bangladesh to 272 for 6, putting them on the verge of a significant victory.
Debutant Zakir Hasan (100 off 224 balls) shown tremendous fortitude in completing a patient hundred, but it was never going to be easy to win the Test match by batting out for nearly 180 overs over the course of two days while simultaneously attempting to chase down a 513-run goal.
On Sunday’s final day, Bangladesh must score another 241 runs, although captain Shakib Al Hasan (batting 40) might be more interested in postponing the inevitable.