In what will go down as one of the most extraordinary Test matches in cricket history, India secured a commanding seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh on the fifth day after Lunch in Kanpur. With this victory, India clinched the two-match Test series 2-0, marking their 18th consecutive series win at home—a record that speaks volumes about their dominance on Indian pitches.
Chasing a modest target of 95 runs, India’s approach mirrored their first innings strategy. Rohit Sharma began with a boundary, setting the tone for a quick chase, although he soon fell prey to Mehidy Hasan’s spin. Despite this early setback, Yashasvi Jaiswal (51) delivered his second half-century of the match, partnering with Virat Kohli (29) to accomplish the bulk of the scoring. Jaiswal’s dismissal came painfully close to victory, yet the low target meant Bangladesh’s bowlers had little leeway against India’s formidable batting line-up.
While the final-day chase was straightforward, India’s performance in the preceding four days defined this Test’s narrative. The first three days were marred by bad weather and disruptions, with only 35 overs bowled on the opening day. As play resumed on the fourth day, Bangladesh was positioned at 107/3 on a fickle surface that seemed unpredictable. The pitch, characterized by black soil, offered low bounce, while the wet overhead conditions allowed for substantial movement, benefiting pacers. Spinners inevitably played a crucial role, too.
Choosing to bowl first, Rohit Sharma’s decision seemed vindicated as Akash Deep’s two vital wickets on the rain-shortened initial day lent some credence to the call. However, with rains interrupting play subsequently, a draw appeared to be the most probable outcome until India managed to change the script by forcing Bangladesh into their own downfall.
The fourth day’s proceedings unfolded regularly, and for a brief moment, Mominul Haque, cruising towards his 13th Test century, appeared unfazed. However, with Mushfiqur Rahim dismissed without offering a shot to a sharp delivery from Jasprit Bumrah, India established their hold on the match. Regaining his form, Bumrah, alongside his cohort of bowlers, systematically dismantled the Bangladeshi line-up, leaving Mominul helplessly watching his batting partners fall.
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Bangladesh’s dramatic collapse from 224-6 to 233 all out was precisely what India needed, giving them the incentive to push for a victory with crucial World Test Championship points in their sights. India’s batting display that followed in the afternoon was reminiscent of T20 aggression in a Test game, with the captain Rohit Sharma setting the pace and allowing Jaiswal to dominate. Jaiswal’s 72 off 51 balls spearheaded a stunning attacking strategy that caught Bangladesh off guard, with Shubman Gill (39) and Virat Kohli (47) contributing in a similar vein, followed by KL Rahul’s explosive 68. This unorthodox approach saw India surpass Bangladesh’s innings quickly, despite facing fewer deliveries.
Statistics captured India’s extraordinary innings with a record scoring rate, marking the fastest milestones from 50 to 250 runs for a team scoring over 200 in Test cricket. By declaring post the fall of the ninth wicket and taking two crucial wickets courtesy of Ravichandran Ashwin, India drew Bangladesh closer to defeat by the end of the fourth day.
The final day began with Bangladesh defending a slender 26-run lead. Their initial goal was to widen this margin without losing wickets, but Mominul Haque’s early dismissal, as a result of calculated field placements targeting his tendency to sweep, proved majorly detrimental. Despite a promising partnership with Shadman Islam who added positive runs with small boundaries, Bangladesh faltered when Ravindra Jadeja, entering bowl late, triggered another collapse by picking pivotal wickets including Litton Das and Shakib Al Hasan.
Shadman himself succumbed after a determined fifty, and the following sequence of events saw India seize control of the match after having Bangladesh at a shaky 94/7. Bumrah’s efficient dismantling of the tail, securing Mehidy Hasan and Taijul Islam’s wickets, left only Mushfiqur Rahim to delay India’s anticipated victory, ultimately dismissed before the lunch interval.
In the end, chasing the brief target, it was just a matter of ‘when’ India would win. Jaiswal’s prolific effort was crucial in wrapping up the match swiftly, making this win memorable despite the favorable home conditions and strength disparity with Bangladesh. The game highlighted India’s aggressive mindset and their capability to enforce a result-oriented play even in challenging conditions, underscoring an unforgettable victory for the cricketing side. The brief scores summed up the tale: Bangladesh 233 and 146 (Shadman Islam 50, Mushfiqur Rahim 37; Jasprit Bumrah 3-17, Ravindra Jadeja 3-34) fell to India 285/9 declared and 98/3 (Yashasvi Jaiswal 51; Mehidy Hasan 2-44) by seven wickets, marking yet another milestone in India’s home dominance.