On a bright Tuesday morning at 10.44 AM, Najmul Hossain Shanto of Bangladesh stood at the crease, attempting a risky reverse sweep against India’s spinner, Ravindra Jadeja. It was a rare moment of imprudence in Bangladesh’s otherwise defensive strategy throughout the Test. Shanto, the captain, might have chosen the wrong moment and the wrong shot, but it brought into sharp focus the contrasting styles of both teams in this absorbing Test match in Kanpur.
The Bangladeshi team had resorted to a defensive game plan from the onset but found themselves reconsidering their approach too late in the Test’s timeline. With only a handful of runs left to defend, Taijul Islam urged his fielders to close in, attempting to lure India’s Virat Kohli into an ambitious last-gasp swing. Kohli, instead, carefully played a hard sweep for a single. However, his partner Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had been cruising with his second half-century, went for a misguided shot next and found himself caught at cover.
With Bangladesh trying to make the chase harder, India still secured victory, delayed only by Bangladesh’s late attempts to play aggressively. India’s chase, initially blistering at more than a run-a-ball, slowed for a brief stint. Despite this, the outcome was inevitable, highlighting Bangladesh’s too little, too late salvo. India’s approach to batting was aggressive from the start, with the team choosing big hits over easy singles.
Much of the Test was disrupted by weather, washing out nearly eight full sessions of play, necessitating an aggressive play style for a result. India took on the challenge robustly. Their bowlers picked nine wickets on the penultimate day, and the batsmen countered the Bangladeshi score at an unprecedented pace in Test cricket. Notably, India’s 8.22 run rate surpassed any previous efforts, even compared to their best performances in One-Day Internationals.
R Ashwin, reflecting on the win, shared insights into India’s strategy. “Rohit was clear about needing at least 80 overs to bowl at them after we bowled them out first. We managed it faster, within 74.4 overs, which helped with their defensive play and a decent pitch. The intention was to battle aggressively if given a chance,” Ashwin elaborated. “Even if it meant risking an all-out under 200 runs, making a game out of it was the plan.
. Rohit led by example, hitting a six off the first ball, inspiring the team to follow suit. We had 50 runs in three overs; there was no looking back.”
The pivotal moment came when Bangladesh, caught off-guard by India’s onslaught, opted for defense-centric strategies—fielders stationed at the boundaries while Indian batsmen kept pressure on with aggressive hits. Heading into the last day’s play, both teams stood at starkly different ends of strategic focus, with Bangladesh choosing safety and India eyeing victory.
Chandika Hathurasingha, Bangladesh’s coach, acknowledged India’s superiority and changing dynamics since 2017. “This defeat is painful. India’s approach was something unseen before. They were superior, which needed quicker reactions from us,” he admitted. “Their aggression not only dictated field placements but also induced strange errors and defensive choices from us.”
For Shanto and Shadman Islam, a fleeting partnership of 62 minutes had initially kept hopes alive for Bangladesh to save the Test. Rohit Sharma, India’s captain, responded with varied attacks including spin and pace, breaking the resistance eventually. The dismissal of the partnership was a turning point, leading to a swift fall of wickets, leaving India with an easy target of 97 runs and ample time.
India wrapped up the match with careful aggression, maintaining the momentum built throughout the Test. Bangladesh’s historical win in Pakistan seemed like a distant memory as they faced introspection and learning amidst a whitewash in India. Hathurasingha stressed on the quality of opposition, the standards set, and the learning curve from playing India. “Playing India at home is a formidable task. It shows where improvement is needed.”
The Kanpur Test was significant, both in terms of duration and outcome, summing up the strategic approaches of both teams. India, needing only 312 balls to bat, set a record for a four-innings Test win. This victory, driven by World Test Championship points, saw India delve deeper into their potential under demanding circumstances, much like their historic triumphs. While India’s home legacy in Tests remains unblemished since 2012, the manner of this victory adds to their reputation of resolve and innovation on cricket’s toughest platform.
In a match comparable to the intensity of England’s current Bazball, India’s triumph at Kanpur 2024 stands out as a testament to their evolving play style, skillful execution, and strategic genius.