On Monday, as the clouds parted and the sun beamed down on Green Park, the stage was set for Team India to seize control in the ongoing Test match. With the match poised delicately and time slipping through their fingers, India’s cricketing ensemble showcased a relentless offensive, signaling an aggressive push in the remaining two days of cricket. The urgency was palpable in every over delivered and every shot played, making it evidently clear that India was not holding back.
From the very first half-hour, India opted for a conventional attack strategy – probing at the off-stump line, backed by a four-man slip cordon. This tactical maneuver was soon supplemented by diverse, more adventurous approaches. An hour later, pacer Mohammed Siraj bounced a short ball at Mominul Haque, desire undiminished despite Haque’s two previous boundaries off consecutive bumpers. Captain Rohit Sharma, in another instance, decided to place two short mid-wickets as the ball failed to gain much from the gentle Kanpur surface. The offensive did not stop there; Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja employed reverse sweeps off Shakib Al Hasan during the final session, adding to the impressive display of innovative cricket.
In 514 balls of play, each moment seemed aggressive, perhaps none more so than Rohit Sharma’s audacious step-out against Khaled Ahmed, launching a six to inaugurate his innings. Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan admitted post-play that it took them almost two overs to grasp India’s aggressive stance. By that time, the damage was done, as Rohit and Yashasvi Jaiswal had already struck two sixes and four boundaries.
Records fell like dominoes: fastest 50, fastest 100, fastest 150, 200, and even 250. Comparatively, this wasn’t Bazball; India played red-ball cricket at a T20 pace. Their run rate was an astonishing 8.22 per over, dwarfing England’s noted 4.57. They weren’t looking to save Test cricket or the ground’s reputation at Green Park. They intended to maximize every opportunity, batting as if the game might slip away due to Kanpur’s challenging conditions. After rain played spoilsport for the first three days, leaving Bangladesh with 107 for 3 in merely 35 overs, India knew they had to act fast.
“We wanted to go for the win,” said Morne Morkel, India’s bowling coach, post the fourth day’s play. “Losing two days was tough, and we needed to show positive intent. With two days remaining, a lot of time and extended sessions lay ahead. The boys’ approach with the ball was commendable; they created pressure and brought the wickets. Our batting intent was clear from the onset. We had to push forward to get the winning result.
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India’s unified approach in both batting and bowling highlighted their commitment. Whether sacrificing runs to grab a wicket or taking risks for quick runs, India’s strategy was calculated aggressively. The initial innings may have ended with India leading by a mere 52 runs, but the pace dictated the contest was clearly set by the hosts.
When conventional approaches yielded little success, Rohit Sharma stayed dynamic with field placements, baiting batters to take risks. Liton Das and Shakib Al Hasan were quickly dismissed, but Mominul Haque showcased some resistance using pull shots and sweeps effectively, countering the short balls by pulling them confidently.
Alongside Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Indian bowlers faced resistance for about an hour before Jasprit Bumrah’s spell dismantled their partnership, turning the momentum once again. Morkel applauded the fielders, emphasizing the vitality of fielding support. Despite three dropped catches, significant ones like Rohit’s one-handed catch sending back Liton, and Siraj’s mistimed dive to dismiss Shakib made a profound impact. “In tough conditions, fielders backing bowlers is crucial. Those tough chances, taken or missed, can shift the game’s energy and momentum,” Morkel added.
India’s dominance also benefited from Bangladesh’s lapses. Misfields, missed run-outs, and botched reviews peppered their play. In one notable miss, Bangladesh failed to appeal a caught-behind in the third over when Rohit nicked Faheem’s ball but added just four more runs. Another critical error occurred when Khaled Ahmed’s futile close-range throw missed running out Virat Kohli, who went on to score another 45 runs from just 30 balls.
India’s aggressive play clearly weighed on Bangladesh’s morale. Even when the field spread offering easy singles, Indian batters pushed for big boundaries consistently. Heading into the final day, 26 runs and two wickets separated the two sides. However, the differing mindset of India and Bangladesh could not be starker.
Bangladesh faces a dilemma between playing for a win or ensuring safety. “Winning takes time,” reflected Mehidy Hasan Miraz. “First, we must bat and set a target, then take ten wickets. For now, ensuring our safety seems crucial. We’ll bat long tomorrow and then gauge our chances for a win.”
As the Test gently edges its final stages in Kanpur, the game remains poised evenly. While India’s calculated aggression marks their intentions clearly, Bangladesh’s next move could prove pivotal in deciding who takes away crucial World Test Championship points from this encounter.