Bangladesh have gotten first-hand experience of how ruthless the Indian team can be. They have players who can come to bat 7/8 and stitch a 200-run stand. Batters who can block the lights out and then bat at over 8 runs an over when need be. Already the best Test team in the last decade, under Gautam Gambhir, it seems the side looks the best they have ever been. A perfect blend of youth and experience, of aggression and control.
Bumrah makes Bangladesh bow down
So what if just 35 overs were bowled on the first 3 days of the match? We’ll make sure a result is produced, they said. Some inspirational fielding by Rohit Sharma and Mohammed Siraj helped, but it was the relentless pressure from the bowlers that got India the win. To take 17 wickets in 86.2 overs isn’t an easy feat, especially considering that the pitch looked good to bat on for most of Days 4 and 5 as rain stopped the surface from breaking down.
Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep didn’t give an inch on a pitch that seaming just a bit. Bumrah went for just 67 runs in 28 overs and picked 6 wickets. He looked the best against Bangladesh’s in-form middle order and got Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mushfiqur Rahim both times. Akash Deep made sure Shami wasn’t missed. His pinpoint accuracy outside off was something else; figures 63/3 don’t do justice at all.
Jadeja’s 300 & Ashwin’s 4th innings mastery
Despite the wickets column not proving it, Ravichandran Ashwin bowled better in Kanpur than he did in Chennai. He bamboozled Bangladeshi batters with his guile time and again. The 4th innings specialist got India the perfect start at the end of the 4th day by claiming 2 wickets, and it was he who started the proceedings on the 5th day as well by getting Mominul Haque.
Oh, and Ravindra Jadeja claimed his 300th Test wicket. He is now the 2nd quickest to reach the double of 300 scalps and 3000 runs in Test cricket. Just a reminder: Ashwin is on that list as well. No doubt beating India is considered one of the toughest mountains to climb; it’s like Team India plays with 13 players instead of 11 with Ashwin and Jadeja present.
Gamball > Bazball
But it was batting that wowed everyone. Rohit Sharma hit two sixes to start his innings as India broke the record for scoring the fastest team 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250. Jaiswal was batting in the nets, it seemed. He looked so undisturbed and unbothered as he scored the 3rd fastest fifty by an Indian in Test cricket. If that doesn’t tell what India’s approach is, then I’ll tell you this: Virat Kohli was striking the ball at 135 and got out slog-sweeping on 47. Milestones don’t matter now in this ‘new age’ Team India.
KL Rahul, who gets a lot of flak for his lack of intent in white-ball cricket, had the highest strike rate for any batter who faced 15 or more balls. It was sweeps galore from him. He forgot that he has one of the best defences in the game, as he went with an all-attack approach. Rishabh Pant was promoted ahead of Kohli by Gambhir and Rohit as well. India wanted Bangladesh to be under pressure and face a few overs. So, Akash Deep was sent ahead of Bumrah.
This approach was carried on during the chase as well. Needing just 95 runs and about 60 overs left, Team India chose the aggressive route once again. In a matter of 17.2 overs, the game was done. The run rate wasn’t as impressive this time. They went a bit ‘slow’ at 5.6 runs an over.
But this shouldn’t be equated to Bazball. Unlike English batters (barring Joe Root and Ben Stokes) who lack a solid defence, all of India’s batters are well equipped to face spin and pace, that too in all conditions. This wasn’t reckless. This was calm and calculated. Jaiswal, Rahul and Gill didn’t lose their shape while going for big shots.
Don’t expect Team India to play similarly against New Zealand later this month. You’ll see them access the pitch, condition and match’s situation and play accordingly.
India vs Bangladesh 2nd Test: Brief Scores
Bangladesh 1st innings: 233/10 (Mominul Haque 107, Jasprit Bumrah 50/3)
India 1st innings: 285/9 d (Yashasvi Jaiswal 72, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 41/4)
Bangladesh 2nd innings: 146/10 (Shadman Islam 50, Jasprit Bumrah 17/3)
India 2nd innings: 98/3 (Yashasvi Jaiswal 51, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 44/2)
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