Rohit Sharma, the Indian Team skipper was ready to gamble for an all-out loss under 100 in the first innings, but wanted not to let the second Test against Bangladesh go into a draw. Aggressive to play Team India set new scoring records in Test cricket and sealed an important win for India, putting them closer to a third consecutive appearance in the World Test Championship final.
India Secure A Dominating Win Over Bangladesh
Team India had well and truly celebrated a dominating 280-run win in the first Test in Chennai, and the same was on the cards in the second Test also. However, rain played spoilsport in Kanpur, where only 35 overs were bowled over the first three days, as Days 2 and 3 went complete bliss, courtesy rain.
With only two days and at maximum 196 overs left to win a result, Bangladesh was at 107/3 when play resumed on Monday morning. India needed the Bangladeshi side to crumble early, which did not quite happen. Former skipper Mominul Haque batted with his 13th Test hundred holding up the innings, but Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin finished bowling Bangladesh out for 233 runs. India responded to this with a T20-like approach, piling up 285 runs in just 34.4 overs before declaring their first innings. Bangladesh, after a night where it lost two wickets, was sent for the second time before lunch, and India sealed the match in the second session.
Rohit Sharma Opens Up About His Approach In 2nd Test
“Once we lost two and a half days, when we came on day 4 we wanted to get them out as quickly as possible and see what we can do with the bat. When they got bowled out for 230, it wasn’t about the runs we get but the overs we got at them,” said Rohit at the post-match presentation.
“To make a game out of it on that pitch was a superb effort. It was a risk we were willing to take because when you’re trying to bat like that, you can be bundled out for a low score. But we were ready for it even if we got bowled out for 100-120.“
Akashdeep’s Extraordinary Performance Impresses Skipper Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma was extremely impressed with Akashdeep’s Performance in the Test series against Bangladesh.
“He’s been good (Akash Deep). A lot of domestic cricket he has played. When you come up through the ranks like that, there are a lot of overs in the legs. He has the quality and the skill. Good body as well – can bowl long spells. You have to make sure you prepare your bench strength,” said the skipper.
“He (Rohit Sharma) Walked The Talk” Says Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin was named as the ‘Player Of The Series’.
“When we bowled them out yesterday, it was little after lunch. Rohit was keen that we needed 80 overs to bowl at them. And the moment he came inside out and gave that talk where we’re going to go after it even if we get out under 230. It’s not only him saying it, he went out there and hit his first ball for six. He walked the talk. He set the tone that way,” said the premier spinner.
