India Complete Series Sweep Over Bangladesh with Dominant 7-Wicket Victory in Kanpur
Kanpur, October 1, 2024
– In a remarkable turnaround, India triumphed over Bangladesh with a resounding 7-wicket victory in the second and final Test at Green Park, Kanpur. Despite two days lost to rain, Rohit Sharma's side showcased a clinical performance, sealing the series 2-0 and maintaining their top spot in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) standings. This victory also marks the first Test series win for India under the coaching tenure of Gautam Gambhir.
Having won the toss and opting to field, India had Bangladesh struggling at 107/3 on Day 1 before rain halted play. After two consecutive days of washout, play finally resumed on Day 4, with India bowling out Bangladesh for 233.
The standout for Bangladesh was Mominul Haque, who anchored the innings with an unbeaten 107. For India, Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/50, while Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja chipped in with two wickets each.
India’s response with the bat was nothing short of spectacular. Treating the Test like a T20 contest, the Indian batsmen raced to a record-breaking total of 285/9 declared in just 34.4 overs. Rohit Sharma set the tone with three sixes off his first scoring shots, and Yashasvi Jaiswal (72 off 59) and KL Rahul (68 off 45) powered India to the fastest 50, 100, and 150 in Test cricket history. Bangladesh's spinners Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz fought back, sharing 8 wickets between them, but India’s aggressive intent had already shifted the momentum firmly in their favor.
Bangladesh’s second innings crumbled under the relentless pressure from India’s bowlers. Ashwin made crucial early breakthroughs, removing Zakir Hasan and Hasan Mahmud before the close of play on Day 4. On the final day, Shadman Islam (50) and Mushfiqur Rahim (37) tried to stabilize the innings, but Jasprit Bumrah (3/17), Jadeja (3/34), and Ashwin (3/40) wrapped up the innings for a meager 146, leaving India just 95 runs to chase.
India’s run chase wasn’t without a few hiccups. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill fell early to Mehidy Hasan, but Jaiswal’s blistering 51 off 45 balls kept the chase on track. He forged a crucial 58-run stand with Virat Kohli (20*) before losing his wicket in an attempt to finish the match with a flourish. Fittingly, Rishabh Pant (16*) struck the winning boundary to seal a memorable win for India with one and a half sessions to spare.
India's tactical brilliance and aggressive mindset in both innings proved decisive, allowing them to make the most of the limited time in the rain-affected Test. Their victory ensures they retain the top spot on the WTC points table, giving them momentum ahead of a challenging tour of Australia later this year.
Brief Scores:
Bangladesh 1st Innings: 233 all out (Mominul Haque 107*, Jasprit Bumrah 3/50, R Ashwin 2/41)
India 1st Innings: 285/9 declared in 34.4 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 72, KL Rahul 68, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 4/74)
Bangladesh 2nd Innings: 146 all out (Shadman Islam 50, Mushfiqur Rahim 37, Jasprit Bumrah 3/17, Ravindra Jadeja 3/34)
India 2nd Innings: 95/3 in 13.2 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 51, Virat Kohli 20*, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 2/25)
India win by 7 wickets and clinch the series 2-0.
This emphatic win highlights India’s adaptability and ability to thrive under pressure, adding another feather to Rohit Sharma's leadership as they prepare for tougher challenges ahead.