The test of Kanpur, however, despite its outcome still, is sure to remain in the memories of people for quite some time because of the dramatic manner, in which India managed to get itself into a position from where it could push for a result. The opening day was interrupted by rain and only 35 overs were bowled in Kanpur and worse was to come as the Day 2 and Day 3 were washed out due to rain and damp outfield respectively.
With two days remaining and not even a single innings completed, a drawn game appeared to be the likely result until a dramatic collapse of Bangladesh batting and some aggressive batting performance by India transformed the situation.
Although it will be the batters followed by the bowlers who will steal the show, former Indian player Sanjay Manjrekar has suggested that the likes of Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal not only have the bat, their exceptional fielding skills has proven they are ‘exceptional fielders’ as well.
“What a find in slips is Yashasvi Jaiswal! Gill & Jaiswal, two Young exceptional batters, who can also field brilliantly in slips. Great for Indian cricket!” Manjrekar posted on the Social Media platform X.
Jaiswal, who was positioned at gully, took a brilliant catch of Shadman Islam, the Bangladeshi opener, who scored fifty in the second innings. Gill is a regular member of the Indian team’s slip cordon now.
Another giant leap towards a 2-0 clean sweep was taken by India when extension of the morning session result in the Bangladeshi team being bowled for 146 runs. Jasprit Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja shared the honors with three wickets each and Akash Deep accounted for one.
For the Bangladesh side, Shadman made 50 runs off 101 balls, which was the highest score from any player while Mushfiqur Rahim made the second-highest score of 37 runs off 63 balls, who interestingly was the last man to be out, dismissed by Bumrah for the third time.
India triumphed by 280 runs in the first Test, and a victory in Kanpur will only improve their chances of reaching the finals of the ICC World Test Championship.
