KANPUR – In an exhilarating turnaround, India leveraged sheer intent and aggressive execution to seize control on the action-packed fourth day of the second Test against Bangladesh at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur. Despite the unfavorable weather conditions that marred the match initially, leading to the loss of critical playing time—55 overs on the first day and then two full days—the Indian team, with its indomitable spirit and tactical brilliance, ensured the game veered away from the looming prospect of a tame draw.
With a show of unparalleled aggression, KL Rahul spearheaded India’s late charge towards the end of the penultimate day. The Karnataka batter dazzled with an aggressive innings, amassing 68 runs off just 43 balls. His stunning partnerships, first with Yashasvi Jaiswal and later with Virat Kohli, took the attack to a bewildered Bangladeshi bowling unit. Rahul’s 87-run stand with Kohli, who contributed a swift 47 off 35 balls, was particularly instrumental in India’s endeavor to build a formidable lead as swiftly as possible.
It’s noteworthy that both Rahul and Kohli are typically recognized for their more orthodox playstyles. However, on this occasion, they adopted an entirely different approach, going after the bowlers with reckless abandon. This aggressive strategy was laid out post-lunch when Jaiswal set the tone with a blistering 72 off just 51 balls. Jaiswal’s fiery opening stand with skipper Rohit Sharma, who himself played a rapid knock of 23 off 11 balls punctuated by three sixes, sent a clear message—India was going for an all-out offense.
Shubman Gill also joined in the run-fest, contributing a quickfire 39 off 37 balls, but the attempt to promote Rishabh Pant up the order didn’t quite pay off. Regardless, India managed to rack up a thrilling total of 285 runs within just 35 overs, scoring at an astounding rate of 8.22 runs per over. Even by the flamboyant standards of England’s notorious ‘Bazball’ approach, this Indian display was a notch or two more explosive, clearly leaving the visitors reeling.
The Bangladesh bowling attack did have some moments in the sun, with Mehidy Hasan bagging four wickets for 41 runs and Shakib Al Hasan claiming an additional four for 78.
. However, the relentless Indian onslaught meant that the bowling figures seemed peripheral in an innings dictated more by aggressive batting akin to T20 cricket rather than a Test match.
With the day drawing to a close, Bangladesh found themselves in a precarious position, tasked with negotiating a tricky phase before stumps. Unfortunately, they wobbled, losing two key wickets in the process—both claimed by the seasoned off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. The dismissal of Zakir Hasan epitomized Ashwin’s mastery, utilizing a quintessential off-spinner’s delivery to great effect, while the wicket of nightwatchman Hasan Mahmud came courtesy of an audacious stroke.
India ended the fourth day on an undeniable high, brimming with momentum as the penultimate day concluded. Notably, the day’s play began on a more even keel, with Bangladesh showing resilience after losing three vital wickets in the morning session. Mominul Haque’s resolute century (107*) was the backbone of Bangladesh’s innings, but a lack of support from the tail-enders saw their team collapse from 224-6 to 233 all out.
On the bowling front, India’s Jasprit Bumrah was a force to reckon with, securing three wickets for 50 runs with able assistance from his fellow bowlers. Ravindra Jadeja also reached a personal milestone, clinching his 300th Test wicket and joining the elite ranks of cricketers who have scored 3000 runs and taken 300 wickets in Test cricket.
The day’s statistics presented a captivating spectacle—437 runs scored across 85 overs, with a total of 18 wickets falling. As things stood, Bangladesh still trailed by 26 runs but had two wickets down in their second innings.
While a stalemate remains the most likely outcome, the unpredictable nature of cricket means nothing can be taken for granted. As the final day looms, anticipation is rife, and wonder abounds over what dramatic turns might unfold next in this remarkable Test match.
Brief scores:
Bangladesh: 233 and 26/2 (Ravichandran Ashwin 2-14)
India: 285/9 declared (Yashasvi Jaiswal 72, KL Rahul 68; Mehidy Hasan 4-41, Shakib Al Hasan 4-78)
As cricket enthusiasts around the world watch with bated breath, the possibility of an unforeseen, nail-biting finish in Kanpur remains tantalizingly open.