In a dramatic turn of events at the Kanpur Test, India exhibited sheer determination and aggressive play on the fourth day, maintaining a dominant position against Bangladesh. The weather had already taken a significant toll on the match, snatching 55 overs on day one and then completely washing out the following two days. With such bleak prospects, the Test seemed destined for a dreary draw; however, the Indian team came out with undaunted intent on the penultimate day, aiming to transform the match’s prospects.
KL Rahul emerged as the star of the day with an explosive 68 from just 43 balls, propelling India’s assault against a shell-shocked Bangladesh bowling lineup. His dynamic innings served as the catalyst for India’s charge, embodying a relentless assault that sought to establish a substantial lead at the earliest opportunity. Teaming up with Virat Kohli, who added a brisk 47 off 35 deliveries, Rahul ensured that India’s middle order could build on the solid platform laid by the top-three batters. Both Rahul and Kohli, primarily known for their classical play, adopted an uncharacteristically aggressive approach, delivering blistering strokes across the ground and putting immense pressure on the Bangladeshi bowlers.
The day’s aggression was initially set in motion by Yashasvi Jaiswal, who played an electrifying innings of 72 from 51 balls. Opening alongside Rohit Sharma, Jaiswal provided the impetus India sought. Although Sharma’s time at the crease was brief, he made a strong impact with a 23-run blitz from 11 balls, including three towering sixes, clearly indicating that India had a decisive strategy for the day. Shubman Gill, too, made a valuable contribution with 39 off 37 balls, though Rishabh Pant’s higher-order experiment didn’t yield the desired results.
India declared after 35 overs having amassed a remarkable 285 runs, at an exceptional run rate of 8.22 runs per over. This aggressive tally took on an aura reminiscent of England’s ‘Bazball’ philosophy, albeit executed with even greater intensity.
. The ferocity of India’s batting left Bangladesh visibly stunned, with Mehidy Hasan capturing 4-41 and Shakib Al Hasan taking 4-78, preying upon the aggressively-minded Indian batters who were caught in a T20 momentum.
As stumps approached, Bangladesh faced a challenging task but faltered by losing two crucial wickets to Ravichandran Ashwin. Zakir Hasan was dismissed with a classic off-spinner’s delivery, while Hasan Mahmud, serving as nightwatchman, succumbed to an audacious shot choice, further consolidating India’s position of ascendancy.
The fourth day concluded on a high note for India, who now carried significant momentum into the match’s final day. While the afternoon had begun on a relatively steady note for Bangladesh, the morning session saw them lose three prominent wickets. Still, Mominul Haque stood as the lone warrior for Bangladesh, scoring a resilient unbeaten century (107*). Unfortunately for Haque and his team, the lower order failed to provide him the support needed to withstand India’s charge, collapsing from 224-6 to a total of 233.
Jasprit Bumrah was instrumental in India’s bowling assault, picking up 3-50, with valuable assistance from his fellow bowlers. Another highlight for India came through Ravindra Jadeja, who celebrated reaching a career milestone of 300 Test wickets, placing him among the revered group of cricketers who boast both 3000 runs and 300 wickets in Test cricket.
By the close of an extraordinary day’s play, a dizzying total of 437 runs had been scored across 85 overs, with 18 wickets tumbling in a display of high-octane cricket. Although a draw remains the more likely outcome given Bangladesh’s first innings total and the continuing weather threats, the fluctuating nature of this match hints at the unpredictability of what the final day might bring.
As it stands, Bangladesh is trailing by 26 runs with eight wickets remaining. With the pitch still offering turns and the Indian bowlers in form, cricket enthusiasts around the world are eagerly anticipating whether India can pull off an extraordinary win or if the match will culminate in an intriguing draw.