In a gripping display of resilience and skill, Mominul Haque scored an unbeaten 102*, marking his 13th Test century and ensuring that Bangladesh stayed in the game on the fourth day of the second Test against India in Kanpur. Despite losing crucial wickets in the morning session, Mominul’s steadfast performance provided a beacon of hope for the visiting team.
Cricket in Kanpur had been marred by inclement weather, which saw the loss of 55 overs on the first day and two entire days thereafter. However, the fourth day dawned bright and sunny, setting the stage for an intense day of cricket. With the pitch having been under cover for an extended period, the first hour was particularly challenging, and the Indian pacers made the most of it.
Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep opened the bowling for India, exploiting the conditions masterfully. The ball moved extravagantly, creating significant challenges for the Bangladeshi batsmen. Though there was less bounce off the pitch, the lateral movement was troublesome enough to keep the visitors’ lineup on edge. Mominul, however, exhibited remarkable composure that belied the morning’s chaos, meticulously choosing his shots and accurately judging balls outside his off stump.
The same couldn’t be said for Mushfiqur Rahim, who faced a devastating delivery from Bumrah. Opting to leave a sharp nip-backer, Rahim saw his stumps disturbed, handing India an early wicket and a morale boost.
Litton Das then joined Mominul at the crease, immediately displaying a sense of urgency. Das struck three boundaries in one over off Bumrah, each shot executed with precision and control. His aggressive approach, however, soon proved costly. Attempting an audacious shot off Mohammad Siraj, Das misjudged his timing, sending the ball airborne to mid-off where Rohit Sharma pulled off a spectacular one-handed catch.
The whirlwind of events continued with Shakib Al Hasan’s entry. Known for his robust batting, Shakib sought to accelerate the run rate but succumbed to an ill-fated lofted shot.
. The ball went high up, only to be retrieved by Siraj who completed a difficult catch while tumbling backward, showcasing India’s exceptional fielding standards.
Throughout this turmoil, Mominul stood his ground, countering every obstacle with a calm head and positive intent. His strategy wasn’t just about survival; it was engineered to keep the scoreboard moving. The pitch, which had initially been a bowler’s paradise, gradually became more favorable for batting, but Bangladesh’s lineup failed to capitalize on this apart from Mominul.
As the day drew to a close, Bangladesh’s scorecard read 205/6, with Mominul unbeaten on 102. His stellar innings included a blend of caution and aggression, ensuring Bangladesh was not entirely on the back foot. The contributions from the others, however, were modest, putting additional pressure on Mominul’s shoulders.
India’s bowlers, meanwhile, were disciplined and strategic. Akash Deep ended the day with figures of 2-43, while seasoned spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also scalped two key wickets, returning 2-45. The duo’s efforts were critical in keeping Bangladesh from building any substantial momentum.
The fifth day promises to be a gripping conclusion to this Test match. Bangladesh will need Mominul to continue his superb form, while the remaining batsmen must step up to build a challenging total. On the other hand, India will be looking to wrap up the Bangladeshi innings swiftly and chase down any target to secure a victory in this series.
This day of cricket at Kanpur was a testament to Test cricket’s unpredictable and engaging nature, characterized by fluctuating fortunes and individual brilliance. As fans and analysts speculate on the match’s outcome, one thing remains certain – Mominul Haque’s century has breathed new life into Bangladesh’s prospects, setting up an enthralling finale.
Brief scores: Bangladesh 205/6 (Mominul Haque 102*; Akash Deep 2-43, Ravichandran Ashwin 2-45) vs India.