India vs Bangladesh: R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav push India to 348/7 at lunch

Indian lower-order, led by veteran Ravichandran Ashwin, held fort to take m to a stiff 348 for seven at lunch on day 2 of opening Test against Banglesh here on Thursday.

Resuming on 278 for 6, India lost a well-set Shreyas Iyer (86) in eighth over of day when Ebot Hossain broke thorough batter's gate with a ball that sharply cut back in.

Having batted India out of a tricky spot on opening day, Iyer once again failed to get to a well-deserved hundred and got out with dition of just four runs to his overnight total.

Iyer's innings lasted 192 balls in which he slammed 10 fours. His dismissal prolonged wait for his second Test century. Iyer h slammed a hundred in his debut Test in November last year.

Once Iyer was back to pavillion, Ashwin and Kuldeep batted sensibly to see through first session with an unbroken seventh-wicket stand of 55 runs off 132 balls that gave India upper hand.

Ashwin, who has five Test centuries including four against West Indies, was unbeaten on 40 off 81 balls (2x4, 1x6), while Kuldeep was batting on 21 from 76 balls (3x4) during break.

Banglesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan mostly employed his star spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz to go in tandem with pacer Khaled Ahmed but Ashwin hardly looked in any trouble.

He me his intent clear stepping down to Mehidy for a six. Luck also favoured Ashwin when he survived an 'umpire's call' after left-arm spinner Taijul Islam h him trapped in front of legstump when he was on 34.

That pace spearhe Ebot Hossain was taken out of attack after his impressive spell of 4-1-7-1 in morning also helped Indian cause.

Kuldeep also oozed confidence as Ashwin was happy to take singles and give him strike.

Having survived a review in 100th over, Kuldeep was at his resolute best even as odd ball stayed low, while some short-pitch deliveries h awkward bounce.

Shakib also introduced part-time offspinner Najmul Shanto into attack but Indian duo held firm.