In what will go down in history as one of the most extreme and exhilarating Test matches of all time, India clinched a commanding seven-wicket triumph over Bangladesh on the fifth day after lunch at the renowned venue of Kanpur. This victory cemented India’s dominance in the two-match Test series with a clean sweep of 2-0, marking the hosts’ 18th consecutive series win on home soil.
Chasing a modest target of just 95 runs, the Indian team’s approach mirrored their performance during the first innings. Captain Rohit Sharma set the tone, smacking a boundary to kick-start the chase, yet soon fell to the wiles of Mehidy Hasan, as Bangladesh opted for spin from both ends. Despite this early setback, Yashasvi Jaiswal, with his swashbuckling 51, notched his second half-century of the match. Alongside veteran Virat Kohli, who contributed a patient 29, Jaiswal shouldered the bulk of the scoring effort, although the former was dismissed just shy of the finish line. Even though some deliveries kept low, the negligible target posed little threat to India’s determined batsmen, and Bangladesh’s bowlers found themselves without recourse. The victory was secured in the second session of the final day, yet the defining moments of the match were shaped over the preceding four sessions.
The initial three days of the Kanpur Test unfolded like a meticulously plotted thriller, initially devoid of dramatic twists, but marred by inclement weather and a frustratingly sluggish outfield. Day one saw a mere 35 overs bowled, marking the only play until action finally resumed on the fourth day. At that point, Bangladesh stood at 107/3 on a pitch notoriously difficult to interpret. The black soil led to low bounce, while the overhead conditions and dampness offered extravagant movement for the pace bowlers. Spin, predictably, was an ever-present threat as well.
This pitch complexity perhaps explained Rohit’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss. However, his bowlers didn’t consistently capitalize on their momentary dominance during the brief play on the initial day. Jasprit Bumrah experienced an unusually off day, while Mohammed Siraj delivered noteworthy spells only sporadically. Akash Deep’s two wickets offered some validation for Rohit’s decision, as Ravichandran Ashwin expertly manipulated the ball. However, the resulting bad light, subsequent rain, and sodden outfield threatened to render a draw the most likely outcome.
It was on the fourth day that India shifted gears dramatically, pushing Bangladesh into a tailspin of self-destruction. The morning began uneventfully, with Mominul Haque at ease, marching towards what would become his 13th Test century. The left-hander batted with grace and authority, seemingly untroubled. Yet, Bangladesh’s woes lay at the other end. Veteran Mushfiqur Rahim’s inexplicable decision to offer no stroke to a sharp nip-backer from Jasprit Bumrah set the stage for India’s ascendancy. Back in his element, Bumrah’s resurgence, coupled with the relentless efforts of other Indian bowlers, left Mominul stranded as partners dwindled.
Bangladesh’s implosion from 224/6 to 233 all out provided India with the necessary impetus to seize the initiative and aim for valuable World Test Championship points. If the bowlers were exceptional in their morning performance, the Indian batsmen adopted a breathtaking approach in the afternoon. Playing a brand of cricket reminiscent of T20 rather than Test, on a tricky low-bouncing surface, Rohit’s men turned the tables dramatically.
. The skipper’s quick cameo was impressive; however, it was Jaiswal’s 72 off 51 balls that spearheaded the assault.
As Mehidy Hasan later articulated at the day-four press conference, the relentless Indian onslaught shook the core of Bangladesh’s bowling. Shubman Gill (39) and Virat Kohli (47) echoed this aggressive style, while KL Rahul shepherded the charge with his flamboyant 68. Statistically, India required 238 fewer deliveries than Bangladesh, yet they achieved a lead of 52. The hosts set an astonishing record with a scoring rate of 8.22—the best innings run rate for a team scoring over 200 in Tests. A plethora of records fell that day, with the fastest benchmarks for 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 scored in the format.
India’s declaration at nine wickets down left them hungry for at least a wicket by the close of play, a hunger they satiated by taking two, both claimed by the shrewd Ravichandran Ashwin. With astute guile, Ashwin trapped opener Zakir Hasan leg before wicket and induced a reckless shot from nightwatchman Hasan Mahmud. Such antics set the stage for another potential disintegration of Bangladesh’s batting line-up the following day.
As the final day unfolded, with Bangladesh beginning with a manageable deficit of 26, the primary goal for the visitors was to secure a lead without further loss. Yet, the precision of Rohit Sharma’s in-field strategies stymied such plans, leading to the early departure of centurion Mominul Haque. A well-placed leg slip foiled Mominul’s penchant for sweeping, and it was during a hard sweep attempt that he succumbed, with KL Rahul superbly taking a sharp catch at leg slip off Ashwin’s delivery.
Bangladesh’s fight was momentarily buoyed by Shadman Islam’s gritty yet fluent 50, marked by crisp timing and an array of boundaries. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto seemed to regain composure, partnering with Shadman to stitch a half-century stand. However, when Ravindra Jadeja was called upon, he struck immediately. Shanto, attempting a perilous reverse sweep, managed to bowl himself, exacerbating Bangladesh’s predicament.
Jadeja’s introduction was the key to breaching Bangladesh’s resistance. Litton Das edged behind, and Shakib Al Hasan handed an easy return catch to Jadeja. Shadman soon followed, undone by Akash Deep’s relentless pressure. From a phase of relative stability at 91/3, Bangladesh plummeted to a precarious 94/7, and India capitalized. Bumrah carved through the tail quickly, dismissing Mehidy Hasan and Taijul Islam in rapid succession. Meanwhile, Rahim valiantly attempted to extend Bangladesh’s innings, smartly farming the strike with last man Khaled Ahmed, until Bumrah sealed his fate just before the extended lunch break.
With a target of just 95 to secure victory, India’s path to triumph was never in doubt. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s assertive play ensured a swift conclusion to the contest, securing a victory that resonates far beyond mere statistics. Although playing at home and against a struggling Bangladesh might downplay the triumph to some, the assertive intent displayed by India to carve out a definitive win amidst challenging conditions marks this as a historic milestone.
/Brief scores: Bangladesh 233 and 146 (Shadman Islam 50, Mushfiqur Rahim 37; Jasprit Bumrah 3-17, Ravindra Jadeja 3-34) lost to India 285/9 declared and 98/3 (Yashasvi Jaiswal 51; Mehidy Hasan 2-44) by seven wickets.