Cricket fans were eagerly awaiting the start of the 2nd Test between India and Bangladesh at Green Park, Kanpur, but the day didn’t exactly go as planned. With only 35 overs bowled and rain cutting things short, it was a frustrating day for both teams.
Let’s take a closer look at what happened at India vs Bangladesh 2nd Test Day 1. Basically the highlights of the day and what to expect on Day 2.
Toss Drama and Early Decisions
The match started off with some delay due to overnight rain. India won the toss and Rohit Sharma decided to bowl first. The pitch looked like it might offer some movement for the fast bowlers but also had the potential to be friendly for batsmen later on. India’s decision to bowl wasn’t surprising especially with the overcast conditions that promised help for the seamers.
However, what really caught the eye was the three-man pace attack which showed India’s intent to hit hard early.
The Akash Deep Show
One of the brightest spots on the rain-affected day was India’s rising pace-star Akash Deep. The young pacer grabbed the attention of everyone with his remarkable spell and picked up two key wickets. He first removed Zakir Hasan for a duck thanks to a sharp catch by Yashasvi Jaiswal. A few overs later then he trapped Shadman Islam in front of the stumps with a brilliant delivery and finished the day with figures of 2/34.
Akash showed a solid understanding of the slow pitch by consistently hitting good lengths and getting the ball to nip back just enough to trouble the batters. His performance was a reminder of his hard work in domestic cricket where he has honed his skills on similar slow surfaces.
Bangladesh’s Resilience
Bangladesh fought back with Mominul Haque and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto showing resilience despite the two early setbacks. Mominul top-scored with an unbeaten 40 off 81 balls was particularly impressive. He remained calm under pressure and played some beautiful shots especially down the ground. Meanwhile Shanto managed to score 31 before being dismissed by R Ashwin with an arm ball that had him trapped in front.
Bangladesh finished the day at 107/3 with Mominul and the experienced Mushfiqur Rahim at the crease and ready to resume on Day 2.
Preparations And Tactics For Day 2
Mushfiqur Rahim’s Milestone Watch
One of the most exciting prospects for Day 2 is the possibility of Mushfiqur Rahim becoming the first Bangladesh player to score 6,000 Test runs. He will be hoping to play a key role in helping Bangladesh put up a strong first-innings total because he is currently unbeaten at the crease. If Mushfiqur stays around for a while then India’s bowlers could be in for a tough day.
Read the full Analysis of India vs Bangladesh 2nd Test here.
India’s Bowling Plans
India’s bowling lineup with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep will be keen to make early breakthroughs on Day 2. The surface doesn’t offer much pace which means bowlers like Ashwin will be crucial. If Ashwin can find his rhythm then Bangladesh’s middle and lower order will expect to struggle. India will also want to keep their reviews intact after wasting a couple of DRS calls on Day 1.
Can Bangladesh Build on a Decent Start?
Although Bangladesh lost three wickets but still managed to reach a somewhat decent score of 107/3. Mominul Haque in particular looked settled and could pose a threat to India’s bowling attack. If Mominul and Mushfiqur can build a partnership early on then Bangladesh might be able to challenge India’s first-innings plans. However losing an early wicket could open the floodgates for India’s bowlers.
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Highlights from Day 1
- India won the toss and chose to bowl, expecting early assistance from the pacers.
- Akash Deep impressed, taking 2/34 and picking up the crucial wickets of Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam.
- Bangladesh ended the day on 107/3 after rain halted play in the afternoon.
- Mominul Haque top-scored with 40*, while Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul will resume their innings on Day 2.
Conclusion About India vs Bangladesh 2nd Test Day 1:
Day 1 might have been a washout after just 35 overs, but it’s still set up an exciting Day 2. With Bangladesh sitting at 107/3 and Mushfiqur Rahim eyeing a major milestone, the visitors will look to make the most of the conditions. On the other hand, India will hope for some early wickets to keep Bangladesh in check.
Can Bangladesh build on their start, or will India’s bowlers bounce back on a slow Kanpur wicket? Only time will tell. Fans will be eagerly waiting for the action to unfold, and let’s just hope the rain stays away!