Persistent rainfall and a saturated outfield led to a complete washout on the second day of the second Test between India and Bangladesh in Kanpur. The relentless weather conditions were so adverse that officials decided to abandon play for the day as early as 14:00 local time. This interruption marks the first occasion since the 2015 Bengaluru Test that a day’s play in India has been entirely lost to rain.
Kanpur residents and cricket fans alike were not caught off guard by this turn of events, given the weather forecast which had already predicted rain for the initial three days of the Test. The first day saw only 35 overs being bowled, with Bangladesh battling to find stability on an unpredictable pitch amidst tricky weather conditions.
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, having weighed the conditions, made the tactical decision to bowl first, owing to the overcast skies and potential moisture on the pitch. This strategy seemed to be justified, as there was considerable movement available early on. Unfortunately for the hosts, key pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj could not fully exploit the conditions. It eventually took two quick wickets from Akash Deep to provide some relief for India. On the other side, Bangladesh’s cricketing duo Mominul Haque and Najmul Hossain Shanto were beginning to stabilize the innings before Ravichandran Ashwin managed to dismiss Shanto.
Despite only 35 overs of cricket on the first day, the initial exchanges promised an intriguing contest lined up for Day 2. However, the persistent rain that had truncated the play on the first day relentlessly continued, rendering any cricketing activity impossible throughout the second day.
Up until the break in play, Bangladesh had managed to post a score of 107 for 3. Mominul Haque held the innings together with a resilient 40 not out, while Najmul Hossain Shanto contributed a solid 31 before his dismissal. The standout Indian bowler so far has been Akash Deep, who claimed two wickets for 34 runs, showing promise with his disciplined line and length on a rain-affected and challenging pitch.
The match started with India hoping to unsettle the Bangladeshi batsmen with early seam movement. The pitch, still damp from the sporadic showers, offered a bit of zippy bounce and lateral movement.
. However, the early breakthroughs did not come from the seasoned Bumrah or Siraj, who seemed slightly off their rhythm. Instead, the young and relatively inexperienced Akash Deep seized the opportunity to make an impact. With twin strikes in quick succession, he gave his team a glimmer of control in an otherwise balanced opening day.
Despite the aggressive field placements and varied bowling attacks, Mominul Haque and Najmul Shanto began to repair the Bangladesh innings. Showing commendable technique and temperament, they added crucial runs before Shanto fell prey to Ashwin’s guile, induced into an ill-timed shot.
As the teams reconvened hoping for an improved weather outlook on Day 2, they were to be met with disappointment. Early morning showers transitioned into a steady downpour, forcing the officials to deliberate between intermittent inspections. With the outfield failing to dry up and the forecast showing no signs of improvement, the decision to call off play by early afternoon was inevitable.
This abandonment has understandably led to concerns about the remaining days of the Test match. Both sides have players in form and strategies tailored to take advantage of specific conditions. However, the wet weather looms as an uninvited third competitor. For fans and players alike, hopeful glimpses of the sun over the next few days are deeply desired to salvage what remains of the contest.
Should the forecast continue its dreary accuracy, the role of groundsmen and their ability to make the pitch playable will become ever more crucial. Looking ahead, the Indian team might reconsider their strategy, especially with their bowlers needing to fine-tune their execution under the given conditions.
As it stands, the brief score at the end of Day 1 reads Bangladesh at 107 for 3, with Mominul Haque unbeaten on 40 and Akash Deep leading the Indian bowling efforts with figures of 2 for 34. While the rain dominated the headlines today, hopes remain alive for a resumption of play and the potential for an exciting finish in the coming days.