The second and final Test of the series between India and Bangladesh is set to begin tomorrow in Kanpur. India holds a 1-0 lead following a comprehensive victory in the first Test at Chennai. India will look to extend their dominance and seal the series, while Bangladesh will aim to bounce back and salvage pride. The match promises to be thrilling as both teams gear up for a crucial encounter in their World Test Championship (WTC) journey.
Match Preview
India outplayed Bangladesh in the first Test, winning by 280 runs in four days. Ravichandran Ashwin was the star of the show, not only taking a six-wicket haul in the second innings but also contributing with a century in the first innings. Bangladesh's batting order struggled to cope with India's relentless spin attack, led by Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, as they were bowled out for 149 and 234 in the two innings while chasing an improbable 515 for victory.
For India, the positives from the first Test included strong performances from the middle order, with Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli scoring half-centuries, and Ashwin's all-round heroics. The bowling attack, which also saw debutant Akash Deep perform well, will be high on confidence heading into the second Test.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, had a few bright spots, particularly Najmul Hossain Shanto fighting 82 in the second innings. Still, overall, their batting lineup failed to put up a competitive total in either innings. Captain Shakib Al Hasan had a quiet game by his standards, and the team will need a collective batting effort to put India under pressure in Kanpur.
Team News
Given their dominance in Chennai, India will likely make a few changes to their lineup. However, depending on the conditions in Kanpur, the team management might consider giving opportunities to players like Shreyas Iyer or Kuldeep Yadav. Yadav's inclusion could be a possibility if the pitch at Green Park promises to offer a turn from the outset.
Bangladesh might shuffle their bowling attack after their pacers, particularly Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana, failed to make significant inroads on a spin-friendly Chennai pitch. Spin options such as Taijul Islam could be considered, while the team will be hoping for Shakib Al Hasan to regain form with both bat and ball.
Probable Playing XI
India:
Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), KL Rahul, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Akash Deep, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah.
Bangladesh:
- Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Shanto (c), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Litton Das (wk), Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Taijul Islam.
Key Players to Watch
India:
- Ravichandran Ashwin
Ashwin's all-around contribution in Chennai was the key to India's victory. He scored his sixth Test hundred and followed it up with a six-wicket haul. His ability to exploit turning pitches makes him India's trump card in Kanpur.
- Virat Kohli
Kohli was not at his best in the first Test. But he is Known for his hunger for runs, and that is why he will be eager to convert his starts into big scores in Kanpur.
- Ravindra Jadeja
Jadeja played a perfect supporting role to Ashwin, taking crucial wickets and offering excellent control. His performances with bat and ball make him a crucial asset for India.
Bangladesh:
- Najmul Hossain Shanto
Shanto's 82 in the second innings was one of Bangladesh's few bright spots in the first Test. His ability to anchor the innings will be key if Bangladesh hopes to post competitive totals.
- Shakib Al Hasan
Shakib had a quiet game by his lofty standards, scoring 25 and 32 and failing to take any wickets. As Bangladesh's captain and star player, much will depend on his ability to turn the game in his team's favour.
- Mehidy Hasan Miraz
Mehidy is one of Bangladesh's key bowlers, especially on turning tracks. Though he did not have much success in Chennai, he has a track record of troubling Indian batsmen and could play a crucial role in Kanpur.
Match Prediction
Given India's form in the first Test and their overall strength in home conditions, they will go into the second Test as obvious favourites. The combination of Ashwin and Jadeja on spin-friendly Indian pitches has been nearly unplayable for most visiting teams, and Bangladesh will need an extraordinary effort from their batsmen to counter India's bowling attack.
While Bangladesh showed resilience in patches during the first Test, they have historically struggled in Indian conditions. A lot will depend on how their top order handles the pressure, but unless they find a way to counter India's spinners, it is hard to see them pulling off an upset. India should be able to win the match and clinch the series 2-0.