The second and final Test between India and Bangladesh kicked off on Friday at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur, with India captain Rohit Sharma winning the toss and opting to bowl first. This decision was made after a slight delay due to a wet outfield, which forced an inspection at 9:30 AM IST.
Weather and Pitch Conditions
The weather in Kanpur is expected to play a significant role in the match, with rain forecasted for the first three days. Overnight rain had already caused delays, and the ground staff had to cover the pitch and the entire outfield to protect it from further damage. The conditions are still overcast, which could affect the pitch's behavior and team strategies.
Traditionally, Kanpur offers balanced Test pitches, with fast bowlers enjoying some assistance on the first morning and the surface flattening out as the match progresses, aiding batsmen. However, the presence of rain could alter this dynamic, potentially reducing assistance for spinners early on and favoring seamers.
Team Lineups and Strategies
India is looking to continue their dominant home run, having won the first Test in Chennai by a comprehensive 280 runs. The probable playing XI for India includes Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (w), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah/Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep, and Mohammed Siraj. Notably, Kuldeep Yadav was not given a chance in the final XI, with India opting for three pacers instead.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, is hoping to put up a stronger fight after their easy capitulation in the first Test. Their probable playing XI includes Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das (w), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, and Nahid Rana. This match could be Shakib Al Hasan's farewell Test, given his recent announcement of retirement from Test cricket.
Key Players and Milestones
Several key players are on the verge of significant milestones. Virat Kohli needs 129 runs to complete 9,000 runs in Tests, a feat achieved by only a few Indian batsmen like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar. He also needs 35 runs to reach 27,000 runs in international cricket, a milestone already achieved by Sachin Tendulkar, Kumar Sangakkara, and Ricky Ponting.
Ravichandran Ashwin is just one wicket away from becoming the first Indian bowler with 100 wickets in the fourth innings of Test cricket. He also needs 78 runs to become the second cricketer, after Stuart Broad, to achieve the double of 3,500 plus runs and 500 plus wickets in Test cricket.
Security and Venue Concerns
The match has also been marred by security concerns, with the Uttar Pradesh Public Works Department advising against filling the upper block of the C stand at the Green Park Stadium due to safety issues. However, the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association has rubbished these claims, ensuring that the venue is safe for the match.
Historical Context
India has a strong record at the Green Park Stadium, having last lost a Test match here in 1983 against the West Indies. Since then, India has remained unbeaten at this venue, and they will be looking to extend this streak.
Live Coverage and Streaming
Fans can follow the live coverage of the match on Sports 18, which will telecast the proceedings in India. Jio Cinema will also live stream the match in nine languages, including Hindi and English commentary.
As the second Test unfolds, both teams will be keen to adapt to the challenging weather and pitch conditions, making this a highly anticipated and intriguing match.
