In a match that will go down in the annals of cricket history as one of the most dramatic Test encounters, India outplayed Bangladesh to secure a comfortable seven-wicket victory on the fifth day after Lunch in Kanpur. The result not only sealed a 2-0 victory in the two-match Test series for the hosts but also marked their 18th consecutive series win on home soil.
Entering the final session with a target of just 95 runs, India showcased the same aggressive approach they had employed in the first innings. Captain Rohit Sharma got the chase started with a boundary, signaling the team’s attacking intent. However, his efforts were cut short as he was dismissed by Mehidy Hasan, with Bangladesh opting for spin from both ends to tighten the screws.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, who played a match-defining knock, scored his second fifty of the game with 51 runs. Partnered by Virat Kohli, who added 29 runs, Jaiswal did most of the scoring, though he fell just before India crossed the finish line. Despite a few deliveries keeping low, the low target and India’s attacking mindset left Bangladesh’s bowlers with limited options. The win materialized in the second session, but it was the groundwork laid in the previous four sessions that truly defined this match.
Initially, the contest seemed destined for a less dramatic conclusion, reminiscent of a slow-burning thriller. The first three days were marred by poor weather and an unsuitable outfield that limited play to just 35 overs on the opening day. When the match resumed under clearer skies on the fourth day, Bangladesh stood at 107/3. The pitch, composed of black soil, created unpredictable bounce, while the damp conditions enabled significant movement for the pace bowlers. Spin, as expected, played a critical role too.
Rohit Sharma’s decision to bowl first appeared uncertain initially. While Jasprit Bumrah struggled and Mohammed Siraj showed inconsistency, it was Akash Deep’s twin strikes that briefly justified the decision. Ravichandran Ashwin also extracted substantial turn from the pitch. The adverse light conditions and subsequent rain suggested a draw as the most likely outcome.
However, India upped their game, forcing Bangladesh into defensive errors. The fourth morning resembled any typical Test day, with Mominul Haque reaching a composed 13th Test century. Yet, his teammates offered little support. Veteran Mushfiqur Rahim’s dismissal to a sharp Jasprit Bumrah delivery signaled the start of India’s dominance. Bumrah regained his form, complemented by effective spells from other Indian bowlers.
. This culminated in Bangladesh’s collapse from 224/6 to 233 all out, leaving Mominul stranded without partners.
India capitalized on this momentum, with their batsmen adopting an aggressive T20 approach in the Test format. On a surface notorious for low bounce, the fluid stroke play was a spectacle. Rohit Sharma set the pace, but it was Yashasvi Jaiswal who led India’s charge with a 72 off 51 balls. The attack rattled Bangladesh, as acknowledged by Mehidy Hasan in the following press conference.
Shubman Gill (39) and Virat Kohli (47) followed the same aggressive strategy, with KL Rahul (68) continuing the assault. India’s 238-ball innings not only surpassed Bangladesh’s total but established a record for the fastest scoring rate in a 200-plus Test innings. Their run rate of 8.22 and record-setting milestones for the fastest 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 runs underscored their dominance.
Declaring at 285/9, India’s goal before stumps was to snag a few wickets. Ravichandran Ashwin achieved this by removing Zakir Hasan and Hasan Mahmud, the latter falling to an ill-advised slog.
With Bangladesh starting the final day 26 runs behind, their primary goal was to move ahead without losing wickets. Yet, first-innings centurion Mominul Haque fell to a clever setup involving a leg slip that restricted his sweep shot options, ultimately resulting in a catch by KL Rahul off Ashwin.
Shadman Islam displayed positive batting intent, contributing several boundaries. Alongside Najmul Hossain Shanto, he stitched a partnership to stabilize Bangladesh’s precarious position. However, Ravindra Jadeja’s introduction into the attack turned the tide. Shanto’s reverse sweep failure and subsequent dismissals of Litton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, and Shadman Islam plunged Bangladesh into deeper trouble. Bumrah quickly dispatched the tailenders, with Rahim delaying the inevitable before falling to a classic Bumrah delivery just before the lunch break.
India chased the modest target of 95 with ease, thanks to Jaiswal’s brisk innings, concluding a memorable and famous win. While the opposition’s strength and home conditions may lessen the victory’s perceived significance, India’s determined approach ensured this triumph remains etched in cricketing lore.
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.