India vs Bangladesh: 2nd Test in Kanpur Threatened by Rain and Uncertain Pitch Conditions
The second Test match between India and Bangladesh, scheduled to begin on September 27 at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur, is facing significant challenges due to adverse weather conditions and uncertain pitch preparations.
Weather Forecast: Rain Likely to Disrupt Play
The weather forecast for Kanpur paints a grim picture, with a high probability of rain and thunderstorms expected throughout the day. According to Accuweather, there is a 96% chance of precipitation on the opening day, with thunderstorm chances as high as 58%.
"Cloudy with periods of rain and a thunderstorm" is the predicted weather condition for the opening day, with the highest probability of rain in the afternoon. This could lead to significant interruptions in the match, making it unlikely for 90 minutes of play to be completed on the first day.
Impact on Match Strategy and Pitch Conditions
The rain forecast is not only likely to delay the start of the match but also influence the team selections and the toss decision. Wet conditions could reduce the assistance for spinners early on and favor seamers, complicating the decision to bat or bowl first.
Traditionally, Kanpur offers balanced Test pitches that assist fast bowlers on the first morning with movement and bounce, while the surface flattens out as the match progresses, aiding batsmen. However, the rain could alter this dynamic, potentially giving more advantage to seamers in the initial stages.
Pitch Preparations and Team Selections
The ground staff at Green Park Stadium were working on two different pitches on the eve of the match, adding to the uncertainty about which pitch would be used. This has left both teams to make last-minute adjustments to their line-ups.
India, who won the first Test by 280 runs, might reconsider their strategy given the weather forecast. The team had suggested using three spinners in Kanpur, but the rain could prompt them to stick with their previous composition. Kuldeep Yadav, who was on the bench in Chennai, is one of the spinners expected to be considered for the second Test.
Safety Concerns and Stadium Preparations
In addition to the weather, there are also safety concerns at the Green Park Stadium. The Uttar Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD) has declared one of the stands, Balcony C, as dangerous and unable to bear full capacity, leading to reduced ticket sales for that section.
The ground staff and the drainage system at the stadium, which is hosting its first international match since October 2021, will be put to the test to ensure the match can proceed smoothly despite the rain.
Probable Playing Elevens
Given the conditions, here are the probable playing elevens for both teams:
**India:** Rohit Sharma (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah/Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj.
**Bangladesh:** Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das (wicketkeeper), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana.
Live Coverage and Telecast Details
The match will be live telecast on Sports 18 and live streamed on Jio Cinema in nine languages, including Hindi and English commentary.
As the teams prepare for what promises to be an intriguing and potentially rain-affected Test match, fans will be keeping a close eye on the weather updates and the toss, which is likely to be delayed due to overnight rain in Kanpur.
With India leading the series 1-0 and aiming for a series clean sweep, and Bangladesh looking to level the series, the second Test at Kanpur is set to be a crucial and closely watched encounter, weather permitting.