India vs Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan set to miss the Kanpur Test?

Concerns have arisen about the fitness of Shakib Al Hasan for the second India vs Bangladesh Test in Kanpur. The all-rounder picked up an injury while facing Jasprit Bumrah in the first Test at Chepauk. Following a medical assessment on Monday, the Bangladesh Cricket Board voiced their doubts over Shakib’s participation in the series moving forward. The veteran all-rounder had to seek on-field assistance after sustaining the finger injury. Moreover, Hasan’s bowling stint in the first match was cut short as others proved more effective on the Chepauk pitch.

Shakib Hasan doubtful to play in the second India vs Bangladesh Test 

Informing about Shakib’s condition, the Bangladesh Cricket Board explained that confirmation on whether the all-rounder will take the field in Kanpur will arrive after observing him across two sessions. The Bangladesh team will move to Kanpur on Tuesday, observing an off day on Monday after India clinched a 280-run win on Sunday at Chepauk.

"We are heading to Kanpur tomorrow (Tuesday) and today is a day off. We will have two sessions afterward, and we will judge after that (regarding Shakib’s availability in the second Test) as we don’t want to make a decision yet," Hannan Sarkar, a member of BCB’s selection panel, said on Monday.

"These two days, the physio has kept him under observation. When we get back to the ground, we will get the physio's feedback. We have to think before picking Shakib for the next match, and there is time before the next match. We will see what condition he is in," the BCB official added.

Shakib Al Hasan had a forgettable outing with the red-ball in the first India vs Bangladesh match in Chennai. The spinner bowled 21 overs across both innings without picking up any wickets. Consequently, Mehidy Hasan Miraz took charge of the spin department, picking up the wickets of KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant across the two innings. Moreover, with the bat, Shakib couldn’t provide the stability Bangladesh needed in Chennai. The all-rounder collectively scored 57 runs in the two innings for the guests in the match, which ultimately ended as a big win for the hosts.

Following the update on Shakib’s condition, Bangladesh’s skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto weighed in on the situation. Shanto noted that Shakib was perfectly fine ahead of the start of the Test series in India. Moreover, the team brushed off the injury concerns during the Test in Chennai. Shanto went on to say that Shakib is facing slight discomfort in his finger, and it can't be regarded as an injury.

"We know the pain in his hand is being discussed. It was not there before the match, and many have tried to explain it in different ways. But before the match, we got a 100 percent clearance from the physio before taking him. He was 100 percent fit then," he said. "You can't say it's an injury. The discomfort he felt in that finger was not there before the match. He felt it when he started to bowl," he further explained.

Noting the performance of Shakib Al Hasan in the first India vs Bangladesh Test, the team isn’t likely to miss his presence in Kanpur if the all-rounder fails to make the cut. Prior to the Bangladesh tour of India, Shakib Al Hasan endured a meek outing in Pakistan as well. While Bangladesh scripted history in Pakistan by clinching their first-ever series win over the hosts, Hasan’s performance wasn’t noteworthy. The seasoned player picked up 5 wickets in the 2 matches, while accumulating 38 runs with the bat.

India squad for the second India vs Bangladesh Test in Kanpur

India, meanwhile, will head to Kanpur with an unchanged squad. The BCCI on Sunday announced the India squad for the final Test, placing their trust in the same 16 players who initially made the cut for the Chennai Test. Now, with India having claimed their first win, it will be interesting to see if the Playing XI differs in Kanpur. While many players like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rishabh Pant have likely cemented their place in the primary XI, there’s uncertainty regarding KL Rahul's place in the selection criteria for the second India vs Bangladesh Test, with Sarfaraz Khan also available in the India squad.

Bangladesh squad for the second India vs Bangladesh Test:

Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Kumer Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Nahid Rana, Jaker Ali, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Syed Khaled Ahmed.

India squad for the second India vs Bangladesh Test:

Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Yash Dayal.