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The second Test between India and Bangladesh commenced on September 27, 2024, at Green Park, Kanpur, with India holding a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Captain Rohit Sharma, known for his astute leadership, won the toss and chose to bowl first, a decision shaped by the overcast conditions and a soft pitch. The pitch, covered with a layer of grass, was expected to assist the Indian seamers early on.
Rohit’s choice to field first was a calculated move to exploit the pitch’s early assistance for fast bowlers. He emphasized the importance of making early inroads to maintain pressure on Bangladesh, hoping his three seamers — Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep — would make the most of the conditions. India’s unchanged playing XI signaled confidence in the same team that handed Bangladesh a comprehensive 280-run defeat in the first Test in Chennai.
Bangladesh, led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, made two changes to their squad, bringing in Taijul Islam and Khaled Ahmed to replace Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana. Despite their struggles in the first Test, Bangladesh opted to bat first, with Shanto emphasizing their intent to improve after their disappointing batting performances in Chennai.
India’s decision to bowl first in Kanpur stems from their determination to continue their dominance in the series. They successfully exploited conditions in Chennai, where Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin excelled, but in Kanpur, it’s the seamers who are expected to take center stage. Bumrah and Siraj, India’s pace spearheads, along with the promising Akash Deep, are primed to challenge the Bangladesh top-order.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh is aware of the uphill task they face. Their batting lineup, featuring experienced players like Mushfiqur Rahim, Mominul Haque, and Shakib Al Hasan, will need to show more resilience than they did in the first Test. In Chennai, Bangladesh crumbled under pressure, with only a few brief periods of fight. Their focus now will be on putting up a solid total on the board to give their bowlers something to defend.
For India, all eyes will be on their seamers, particularly Jasprit Bumrah, whose ability to swing the ball in helpful conditions makes him a potent threat. Mohammed Siraj’s fiery pace and Akash Deep’s rise as a dependable third option round out a formidable attack. In the spin department, Ashwin and Jadeja remain crucial, especially as the game progresses and the pitch begins to deteriorate.
On the other side, Bangladesh’s hopes rest on veterans like Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan. Shakib, in particular, will have to step up with both bat and ball if Bangladesh is to challenge the formidable Indian side. Zakir Hasan, who looked promising in parts of the first Test, will also be a key figure at the top of the order.