Hosts Push for Victory, Bangladesh Struggle at 26/2 after Day 4
India vs Ban | 2nd TEST
Kanpur, Sep 30: India delivered a spectacular T20-style batting performance to take a 52-run first-innings lead against Bangladesh in the rain-hit second Test, bringing excitement to a match affected by poor weather.
The sun finally shone bright in Kanpur on Monday, allowing play to resume after two lost days, and India took full advantage to force a result in the limited time available.The hosts had just six sessions to secure a win and made their intent clear from the outset on the fourth day of the match. Despite the pitch offering little assistance to the bowlers, India managed to dismiss Bangladesh for 233 in their first innings, thanks to a remarkable effort. Mominul Haque, however, provided some resistance for Bangladesh with a patient unbeaten century, scoring 107 runs.
India then went into overdrive, displaying a sensational and aggressive brand of cricket, striking at a rapid rate of 8.22 runs per over to create a first-innings lead. This aggressive intent led to record-breaking milestones for the fastest team 50 (off 18 balls), 100 (off 74 balls), and 200 runs (in 24.2 overs) in the history of Test cricket.
After racing to 285 for nine in just 34.4 overs, India declared their innings, leaving themselves enough time to launch an attack at the visiting batters.
By stumps on Day 4, Bangladesh were struggling at 26 for two, with both Zakir Hasan and Hasan Mahmud falling victim to off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Bangladesh trailed India by 26 runs, and the pressure was clearly on the visitors.
India’s aggressive approach was driven by the need for an outright victory, which would further strengthen their top position in the World Test Championship (WTC) table. Given the tougher assignments ahead, including the Australia tour, India are keen to secure wins against less challenging opponents to build a cushion before facing tougher overseas series.
Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal played a starring role, setting the tone for India’s innings with an electrifying knock of 72 runs off 51 balls. He kick-started the Indian innings with three boundaries in the opening over bowled by Hasan Mahmud. Not to be outdone, skipper Rohit Sharma unleashed a fierce assault, smashing two consecutive sixes off Khaled Ahmed, with one of the shots landing on the roof of the stadium. It was evident that India were playing with urgency, keen to build a lead after losing more than two days to bad weather.
Adopting a “see-the-ball, hit-the-ball” approach, India raced to the fastest team fifty in just three overs. However, Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto was quick to introduce spin, sensing the ineffectiveness of his pacers against the Indian onslaught. Off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz rewarded Shanto’s decision by castling Rohit, bringing a momentary halt to the carnage.Jaiswal, however, continued his aggressive batting, reaching his half-century with a single off left-arm spinner Taijul Islam. His impressive innings featured 12 boundaries and two sixes, and he added a vital 72 runs for the second wicket with Shubman Gill, who contributed 39. (PTI)