India vs Bangladesh: Rain plays spoilsport in Kanpur Test

The opening day of the second India vs Bangladesh Test was marred by incessant rain as stumps were called early in Kanpur. The final match of the red-ball series started an hour late from the scheduled time as the Green Park stadium dealt with a wet outfield. The toss happened at 10:00 am IST with the hosts winning and opting to bowl first. The overcast conditions at the venue pushed skipper Rohit Sharma to try his bowlers first at the black soil track. The decision eventually proved effective for India before bad light curbed the proceedings a little over after lunch on day 1. 

India vs Bangladesh second Test hangs in balance as rain hits Kanpur

Looking to exploit the overcast conditions in Kanpur, Rohit Sharma chose to bowl first as the coin fell into his favour against Bangladesh in the second Test. The decision, similar to what Najmul Hossain Shanto chose in Chennai, proved fruitful for India at Green Park. India’s newly-found pace sensation, Akash Deep provided an early breakthrough as he sent back Zakir Hasan at a 24-ball duck in the first session. The opener, in his attempt to defend the fullish delivery by Akash Deep, edged the bowl towards gully where Jaiswal pounced at it to complete an impressive low catch.

The pacer returned in the 12th over as he claimed another wicket. Akash Deep caught Shadman Islam in an lbw. As the on-field umpire didn’t raise his finger, Akash Deep turned to his captain for assistance. The pacer tried his best to persuade Rohit into taking the DRS who looked unsure of the wicket. Finally, Sharma went for the reviews as wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant reasoned with the leader. Eventually, Rohit Sharma came up with a dramatic reaction as the review termed Shadman out.

Despite the overcast conditions, the pitch displayed variable bounce, benefiting both seamers and spinners. Nevertheless, batting was not entirely unmanageable, as Shanto and Mominul Haque knitted a partnership of 51 runs. The game faced another delay near lunch as rain returned to the venue. However, the hiatus was short-lived as the game continued after 15 minutes. Post returning after lunch, as the Bangladesh batter settled their stay on the pitch, the hero of India’s 280-run win at Chepauk, Ravichandran Ashwin joined the attack.

Ashwin, bowling to the captain in the 29th over, received a tip off from Rishabh Pant from behind the stumps. As Ashwin tried to find the right line and length to trap Shanto, Pant advised the spinner to bowl closer to the stumps. The advice turned effective as Ashwin trapped Shanto lbw within the same over. The conditions, however, worsened at Green Park Stadium as rain hindered the game. The rain, this time a heavy downpour, returned in Kanpur around noon. Ultimately, the day was called off around 3:00 pm IST with Bangladesh batting at 107 runs at the loss of 3 wickets.

The forecast for day 2, Saturday remains a concern for the game. Rain is predicted to hinder the game on the second day of the Test as well. However, the next three days are said to remain clear. India has come to Kanpur with the same Playing XI that registered a thumping victory in the first India vs Bangladesh Test at Chepauk. Bangladesh, meanwhile, has introduced two changes in the team for the final match. Pacers Nahid Rana and Taskin Ahmed have been rested from the clash with Khaled Ahmed and Taijul Islam replacing them. Shakib Al Hasan, moreover, is a part of the Bangladesh Playing XI refuting any presence of an injury in his finger.