On a transformative Monday in Kanpur’s Green Park, the clouds finally parted to reveal a dazzling sun, setting the stage for a compelling day of cricket that saw Team India propel itself into an offensive stance in a bid to achieve a result in the ongoing Test match. With just two days left to play due to rain interruptions, India exhibited an aggressive strategy from the get-go, making their intentions clear with every ball bowled and every run scored.
India’s aggressive posture was unmistakable right from the first half hour of the day’s play. The team utilized the classical cricket strategy of probing the off-stump line, fortified by a formidable four-man slip cordon. The heat was on. The intensity ramped up an hour later when Mohammed Siraj delivered a short ball to Mominul Haque after Haque had effortlessly dispatched the two preceding deliveries to the boundary. Rohit Sharma also joined the tactical maneuvers, employing two short mid-wickets despite the somewhat subdued assistance from the pitch in terms of pace, bounce, or turn. The offensive maneuvers continued with Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja employing the reverse sweep against Shakib Al Hasan in the final session.
Over the course of 514 balls, India’s intent was embodied in various moments, none more conspicuous than Rohit Sharma stepping out to Khaled Ahmed and thumping a six to inaugurate his innings. This act of dominance set the tone, and as Mehidy Hasan admitted, it took Bangladesh almost two overs to register India’s combative intentions. By that time, Rohit and Yashasvi Jaiswal had already walloped two sixes and four boundaries.
Record books were rewritten swiftly: the fastest 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 runs in Test cricket were notched up by India. It wasn’t Bazball cricket; it was T20 cricket adjudicated with a red ball. Eschewing England’s bazball approach of a rapid 4.57 runs per over, India surged at an astonishing rate of 8.22 runs per over.
India’s motivation was neither to rescue the Test format nor to placate the crowd at Green Park. The focus was squarely on maximizing the opportunity to clinch a spot in their third consecutive World Test Championship (WTC) final. With the rain-haunted first three days allowing a meager 35 overs where Bangladesh had scored 107 for 3, India had to pick up 17 more wickets and chase down a total in what promised to be a race against time.
India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel substantiated this strategy.
. “That (to go for the win) was our message this morning,” Morkel revealed at the wrap of the fourth day. “With two days left in the match, we had to show positive intent. And the boys did magnificently with the ball, creating pressure and then capitalizing on it by taking wickets. With the bat, their intent was no less commendable; it was part of our game plan to push for a winning result.”
India’s proactive strategy was evident throughout the day’s play. Whether it was risking runs to snag a wicket or forfeiting a wicket in the quest for quick runs, the team took calculated risks. Rohit Sharma was particularly commendable for his unconventional field placements designed to tempt batters into risky shots. Liton Das and Shakib Al Hasan fell in quick succession, while Mominul Haque resisted by effectively deploying pull shots and sweeps. Yet a crucial spell from Jasprit Bumrah broke down the innings, triggering a collapse bolstered further by India’s sharp fielding.
Though the day’s play was marked by three dropped catches, two remarkable grabs stood out: Rohit’s one-handed catch at mid-off to dismiss Litton, and Siraj’s backward diving catch at long off to send back Shakib. “Those catches lifted our energy immensely,” Morkel noted, emphasizing the critical role of backing from fielders during tough conditions.
India’s relentless pace also pressured Bangladesh into critical mistakes, including misfields, missed reviews, and failed run-out attempts. One significant blunder was Khaled Ahmed’s wayward throw at the stumps to run out Kohli, who capitalized by adding 45 more runs after the miss.
Heading into the decisive final day, the margin between the two teams is a slim 26 runs with two wickets in hand, presenting an intense showdown. India’s transparent game plan contrasts sharply with Bangladesh’s cautious approach. Mehidy Hasan Miraz suggested their primary objective was to bat through the day, but remained open to opportunities for a win. “Playing to win while ensuring safety is our plan. Tomorrow we’ll aim to bat long and the game could take different shapes depending on the situation,” Miraz stated.
Despite India’s dominance, Miraz’s remarks underscore the precarious balance as the Kanpur Test heads into its final day, each team harboring its own blueprint for victory or survival.