In a match that will undoubtedly go down as one of the most extraordinary Test fixtures in cricket history, India emphatically defeated Bangladesh by seven wickets on the fifth day after lunch in Kanpur. This triumph not only secured a series sweep with a 2-0 scoreline but also marked India’s astonishing 18th consecutive series win on home soil.
Commencing with a modest target of 95 runs to seal their victory, the Indian side approached the innings with the same aggression they had displayed earlier in the match. Rohit Sharma, leading from the front, opened the innings with a flourish by striking a commanding boundary. However, his stint was cut short as Mehidy Hasan swiftly claimed his wicket, utilizing spin to Bangladesh’s advantage from the very onset.
Yashasvi Jaiswal shone brightest in the chase, scoring a brilliant 51 to add to his tally from the first innings. Alongside Virat Kohli, who contributed a steady 29 runs, Jaiswal performed the bulk of the run-scoring, even though his dismissal came tantalizingly close to achieving the target. Despite the occasional unpredictable bounce of the ball, India’s initiative and the low target meant Bangladesh’s bowlers could do little to defend their lead. While the victory was finalized in the second session of the fifth day, the roots of India’s success lay in the impressive performances displayed over the preceding sessions.
The opening three days of the Kanpur Test unfolded like a suspenseful saga, unadorned by unforeseen twists but punctuated by uncooperative weather and a sluggish outfield. Only 35 overs were achievable on the first day due to rain and poor lighting, leaving Bangladesh poised at 107/3 on a pitch that offered its own set of challenges. The black-soil wicket demanded meticulousness, providing minimal bounce, while the wet conditions allowed the fast bowlers to extract substantial movement. Naturally, spin played its inevitable role.
Rohit Sharma’s decision to bowl upon winning the toss seemed judicious, even though his bowlers struggled to maintain dominance throughout the first day’s diminished play. Jasprit Bumrah uncharacteristically faltered, and Mohammed Siraj’s spells were inconsistent. Akash Deep’s two pivotal dismissals supported Sharma’s decision, while Ravichandran Ashwin caused considerable trouble for the Bangladeshi batsmen. Despite the seemingly insurmountable obstacles posed by the conditions, a draw looked increasingly likely until India ramped up their efforts, driving Bangladesh to falter.
The fourth day commenced in a more traditional fashion, with Mominul Haque comfortably reaching his 13th Test century. However, the Bangladeshi batsmen failed to offer Haque adequate support, and their collapse from 224/6 to being bowled out at 233 was catastrophic.
. Jasprit Bumrah, returning to form, spearheaded India’s bowling, and contributions from the rest of the attack left Mominul stranded without partners. Concurrently, India’s batting as the day progressed echoed a T20 approach, concentrating aggression into their stints at the crease.
With clear intentions of capitalizing on World Test Championship points, India’s batsmen approached the pitch with ferocity. Rohit Sharma’s dynamic play set the tone, with Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 51-ball 72 leading the assault and setting a benchmark for others. Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli maintained this aggressive tactic, with KL Rahul eventually closing proceedings with explosive proficiency. India’s record-breaking innings included achieving their target at an unprecedented rate, shattering records for fastest runs in key milestones of a Test innings.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s late-day eccentricities effectively signaled the approaching end for Bangladesh, further destabilizing their lineup with his sneaky deliveries. Zakir Hasan and Hasan Mahmud succumbed to Ashwin’s unraveling spells, leaving Bangladesh reeling and setting the stage for India’s conclusive performance.
Beginning the final day trailing by 26 runs, Bangladesh’s foremost aim was to regain their footing without losing wickets. Intent on exploiting Mominul Haque’s sweeping tendencies, Rohit Sharma orchestrated an intricate fielding strategy. Mominul’s dismissal was indicative of Bangladesh’s disarray, which only deepened under the mounting pressure.
Despite Shadman Islam’s resilient efforts, scoring a commendable half-century, the impetus provided by Ravindra Jadeja wrought havoc. Bangladesh’s resistance crumbled, with the Indian bowlers, spearheaded by Bumrah’s precision, exploiting weaknesses to suppress any hopes of recovery. Sustained by an eagerness to wrap up the victory swiftly, India’s ensuing chase was efficient and unwavering.
While conditions favored the hosts and Bangladesh might not present the stiffest opposition at times, India’s extraordinary determination and their strategic perseverance underlines the significance of this victory. The win is etched as a memorable triumph in Indian cricket’s illustrious history.
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.