India gain huge lead

Dhaka - Mahendra Singh Dhoni smashed a half-century to help India extend their lead to a huge 311 runs in the second and final Test against Bangladesh on Tuesday.

The Indian skipper made a solid 89 for his 17th Test half-century as the visitors reached 544-8 in their first innings at lunch on the third day in reply to Bangladesh's total of 233.

Dhoni, unbeaten on 22 in his team's overnight total of 459-5, completed his half-century when he lofted seamer Rubel Hossain over mid-off for a boundary.

He looked set for his fourth Test hundred when he was stumped by Mushfiqur Rahim off part-time spinner Raqibul Hasan on the stroke of lunch. He cracked two sixes and nine fours.

India added 85 to their overnight total, with Dhoni alone contributing 67.

The visitors lost their first wicket early in the morning when Zaheer Khan was caught hooking by Shahadat Hossain at fine-leg off seamer Shafiul Islam for no score.

Spinner Mohammad Ashraful was the other wicket-taker when he had Ishant Sharma (13) caught behind.

Shafiul has so far bagged three wickets and left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan two.

Indian batsman Rahul Dravid, who fractured his jaw after being hit on the helmet on Monday, did not come out to bat.

India lead 1-0 in the short series following their 113-run victory in the opening match in Chittagong last week.