In a stunning display of cricket, India defeated Bangladesh by 7 wickets in a rain-affected Test match at Kanpur, wrapping up the game in just 14 hours of play, despite the match being scheduled for 30 hours across five days. India’s aggressive batting and dominant bowling sealed the win, leaving Bangladesh with no answers.
Rain Disrupts Play but India Dominates
The first day of the Test saw only 35 overs of play, with Bangladesh managing 107 runs after rain delayed the start by an hour. With the second and third days completely washed out, it seemed unlikely that a result could be achieved. However, India turned the Test into a fast-paced, T20-like contest in the remaining time, thanks to their aggressive approach.
Bangladesh All Out for 233
On the fourth day, Bangladesh resumed their innings but could only extend their total to 233 runs in 74.2 overs. Their innings ended quickly as Indian bowlers kept them under pressure. Despite a promising start, Bangladesh couldn’t capitalize, and their batting line-up collapsed under the pressure.
India’s Aggressive Batting Approach
India’s intent was clear from the start of their innings. Yashasvi Jaiswal set the tone by hitting three boundaries in the first over, while skipper Rohit Sharma blasted two sixes in his first two deliveries. India’s batters, inspired by England’s “Bazball” approach, played with an aggressive mindset, making sure to score quickly and take control of the match.
Jaiswal scored a quickfire 72 off 51 balls, while Rohit Sharma contributed a rapid 23 off just 11 balls. Virat Kohli followed up with 47 from 35 deliveries, and KL Rahul hammered 68 off 43 balls. India’s top-order dominated Bangladesh’s bowlers, who were left clueless on how to contain the Indian attack.
India Declares with a 52-Run Lead
India’s aggressive approach gave them a 52-run lead, after which captain Rohit Sharma declared the innings, forcing Bangladesh to bat again. India’s top six batsmen, five of whom had strike rates over 100, showcased their intent to win the match quickly.
Spin Magic from the ‘Two Robins’
In Bangladesh’s second innings, Indian spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja worked their magic. Their spin bowling dismantled the Bangladeshi batting line-up, leaving them no room to recover. The duo’s bowling performance sealed the game for India, with Bangladesh unable to build any substantial partnerships.
India’s victory in just 14 hours of play was a remarkable achievement, considering the rain disruptions. The team’s aggressive batting and dominant bowling ensured that they didn’t let the lost time impact the match result. This emphatic win once again highlighted India’s strength in both batting and bowling, particularly on home soil. The victory also underscored India’s adaptability, turning a disrupted Test match into a showcase of their fast-scoring, attacking cricket strategy.
With this win, India continues to solidify their reputation as one of the most formidable Test teams in the world, regardless of conditions or circumstances.