In what can only be described as one of the most extraordinary Test matches in modern cricket history, India claimed a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh on the fifth day, post-lunch, in Kanpur. This remarkable outcome saw the hosts sweep the two-match Test series 2-0, marking their 18th consecutive series win on home soil.
With a modest target of 95 runs to chase, India maintained the same aggressive approach they exhibited in the first innings. Rohit Sharma, the Indian captain, signaled their intention by striking a boundary early on but was quickly dismissed by Mehidy Hasan as Bangladesh deployed spin from both ends. Yet, this strategy proved insufficient to halt India’s advance. Yashasvi Jaiswal, showcasing his second fifty of the match with a score of 51, partnered effectively with Virat Kohli, who added 29 runs, carrying the bulk of the scoring load despite Jaiswal falling just shy of the finish line. With such a low target, Bangladesh’s bowlers faced an uphill battle against India’s assertive batting lineup.
While the match concluded in the second session of the final day, it was the Indian team’s performance in the preceding four sessions that had already determined the game’s outcome. The first three days of the Kanpur Test unfolded as a slow-burning thriller, hampered by unpredictable weather and a lackluster outfield. Only 35 overs were bowled on the opening day, with uninterrupted cricket resuming only on the fourth day. At this point, Bangladesh’s score stood at 107/3 on a surface marked by low bounce due to its black soil, while overhead conditions and moisture facilitated significant movement for the pacers. Spin was, as expected, a constant threat.
Rohit Sharma’s decision to bowl after winning the toss seemed wise given the conditions, but the Indian bowlers struggled collectively in the brief 35-over window on the first day. Jasprit Bumrah experienced an uncharacteristically off day, and Mohammed Siraj’s performance was sporadic. Akash Deep’s two-wicket haul temporarily justified the toss decision, with Ravichandran Ashwin effectively exploiting the conditions. However, persistent bad light, rain, and a wet outfield threatened to steer the match towards a draw.
India, however, shifted into high gear, prompting a chain of self-destructive decisions by Bangladesh. The fourth day began on a typical note for a Test match. Mominul Haque, showing his class, cruised to his 13th Test century, demonstrating composure and resilience. But his innings was a solitary highlight; veteran Mushfiqur Rahim’s poor judgment against a sharp inswinger from Bumrah exemplified Bangladesh’s struggles. With the Indian bowlers back to their best, and Mominul eventually running out of partners, Bangladesh crumbled from a solid 224/6 to an abysmal 233 all out—a collapse that rejuvenated India’s hopes of maximizing points for the World Test Championship.
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In response to Bangladesh’s substandard fourth-day performance, the Indian batting lineup exhibited an extraordinary display of aggressive cricket. On a tricky pitch, India’s batters adopted a T20-like approach, defying the challenging low bounce with their audacious stroke play. Rohit Sharma set the tone with a brisk cameo, while Yashasvi Jaiswal’s rapid 72 off 51 balls led the onslaught. Mehidy later admitted in a press conference that this assault disarrayed Bangladesh’s bowling strategy. Contributions from Shubman Gill (39), Virat Kohli (47), and KL Rahul (68) further solidified India’s advantage. Notably, India needed 238 fewer deliveries than Bangladesh to not only match but surpass their score, achieving a lead of 52 runs. This remarkable batting rate—8.22 runs per over—set a new benchmark in Test cricket for teams scoring over 200 runs.
Upon declaring at the fall of the ninth wicket, India sought to gain at least one wicket before the day concluded and succeeded by taking two. Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed opener Zakir Hasan with a masterful mix of deliveries, followed by nightwatchman Hasan Mahmud’s impetuous stroke, underlining the day’s dominance.
Commencing their second innings with a deficit of 26 runs, Bangladesh aimed to eliminate the deficit without losing a wicket but fell short right from the start. Mominul Haque, their first-inning hero, succumbed to a meticulous trap from Rohit Sharma’s team, leading to his dismissal via a sharp catch by KL Rahul at leg slip. Shadman Islam provided some resistance with his fifty, while captain Najmul Hossain Shanto partnered him for a promising half-century stand. When Ravindra Jadeja was introduced into the attack, he struck almost immediately with Shanto’s ill-advised reverse sweep. This shot proved to be a turning point as Jadeja then dismissed Litton Das and Shakib Al Hasan, leading to a rapid decline. Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah made quick work of Bangladesh’s lower order, concluding the innings with Bangladesh fighting a lost cause.
Chasing a mere 95, India’s victory was a foregone conclusion. Jaiswal ensured the win was achieved swiftly, sealing a notable victory. Despite the seemingly weak opposition and favorable home conditions, India’s proactive approach to securing the win under challenging circumstances highlighted the significance of this victory.
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 decl. and 98/3 (Yashasvi Jaiswal 51; Mehidy Hasan 2-44) by seven wickets.