Rain continued to play spoilsport in the one-off Test between Bangladesh and India, leaving the fate of the match at the mercy of the weather. For the third consecutive day, rain stalled the progress of the match and the possibility of a draw loomed large. After the second day's play was completely washed out, the sun shone brightly on the third day, promising a full day’s play. But after lunch, the rain came in four spells, forcing the umpires to call off play. To make up for the loss of the first two days, 98 overs were due to be played on the third day, but only 47.3 overs were possible.
India’s plan was simple: pile up a huge total against which they can bowl out Bangladesh twice. They adopted an aggressive approach, adding 223 runs to their first day’s score of 239 for no loss, and cruised to 462-6 before the third day’s (Friday) play was abandoned at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah. The intention to score as much as possible was clear from their batting. Most of the batsmen perished going for big shots, but not before strengthening the team's position with an attacking mindset. The highlight of the day was the sixth Test century of Murali Vijay and Ajinkya Rahane's missed ton.
Vijay, who played snail to Dhawan's hare on the first day, came out from the shell on day three, executing the team’s plan well. But it was Rahane, the most consistent batsman of this Indian side, who took on the bowlers with disdain, before he was deprived of his well-deserved century by Shakib Al Hasan. Rahane was out for 98, trying to pull left-arm spinner Shakib, but missed it and lost his off stump. He clobbered 14 boundaries in 103 deliveries. It was Shakib's fourth wicket, after he got the two openers -- Shikhar Dhawan on 173, and Murali Vijay on 150 -- and then Rohit Sharma on 6.
Leg-spinner Jubair Hossain Likhon failed to make much impact, but embarrassed the Indian batsmen at times with his turn, bounce and googly. He reaped the rewards with 2-113.  Shakib gave Bangladesh the first success in the match before lunch, dismissing Dhawan after he and Vijay together scored 283, India's biggest ever partnership against Bangladesh. Dhawan, who was on 150, added 23 more before he rushed at Shakib and ended up giving the bowler a simple return catch for his 100th wicket on home soil in his 28th home Test. Dhawan’s third century, including 23 fours, was his second highest after making 187 in his maiden Test innings against Australia in 2013.
Shakib then hit the off stump of Rohit Sharma (6), who looked for an expensive drive through cover. Leg-spinner Jubair Hossain dismissed captain Virat Kohli (14) with a googly, leaving India at 310-3.
The fall of three wickets in quick succession left India in a little uncomfortable situation, before Vijay and Rahane restored the dominance with a 124-run partnership.
Shakib again broke this partnership, claiming Vijay on 150. Starting the day on 89, he reached his sixth century with his 10th boundary and finally cracked 12 fours and a six. Wriddhiman Saha was bowled by Likhon for 6, and Shakib got Rahane for the third wicket in the session. Before the day's play was called off, Harbhajan Singh (7), back for his first Test in more than two years, and Ravichandran Ashwin (2) were at the crease.