The Indian cricket team wasted no time in gearing up for the second Test match against Bangladesh, immediately heading to training just a day after arriving in Kanpur on September 24. On this occasion, captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir took a proactive approach by closely inspecting the pitch at Green Park, keen to gauge its behavior and potential impact on the upcoming match. This strategic move is crucial as they prepare for the challenge ahead.
India and Bangladesh are set to clash in the second Test on September 27, with India entering the match with a 1-0 lead in the series after their impressive victory in the first Test. The Indian team is eager to maintain their dominance at home and achieve a clean sweep against the visitors. In their last encounter, India showcased their prowess with a commanding win by 280 runs at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Historically, India has enjoyed a solid track record at the Green Park stadium, having played 23 Test matches there—winning seven, losing three, and drawing the remaining 13. The last time India hosted a Test match in Kanpur was during the 2021 series against New Zealand, which turned out to be a thrilling contest that ended in a dramatic draw. That match was notable not only for the exciting cricket but also for the resilience displayed by both teams.
In that encounter, India, led by Ajinkya Rahane in Virat Kohli’s absence, won the toss and opted to bat first. Despite an early setback with Mayank Agarwal falling for just 13 runs, Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara steadied the innings, forming a solid 61-run partnership. However, it was debutant Shreyas Iyer who truly stole the spotlight by scoring a magnificent century, making 105 runs and anchoring the innings alongside Ravindra Jadeja, who chipped in with a vital 50 runs. Together, they propelled India to a respectable total of 345 in their first innings, with Ravichandran Ashwin contributing a handy 38 runs to the score.
New Zealand's bowlers, particularly Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson, were impressive during India’s innings. Southee’s exceptional bowling performance earned him five wickets, capitalizing on the overcast conditions, while Jamieson added three wickets to his tally, putting India on the back foot.
In response, New Zealand made a strong start with openers Will Young and Tom Latham, who put together a formidable 151-run partnership. Young scored 89 runs while Latham narrowly missed out on a century, scoring 95 before Ashwin broke the partnership by dismissing Young. Axar Patel soon followed suit, taking out Latham just before he could reach his hundred. Despite the strong start, New Zealand’s middle order faltered under pressure, with Axar claiming five wickets and Ashwin adding three more to his haul. They were ultimately bowled out for 296, leaving India with a slender 49-run lead.
India’s second innings, however, began under a cloud of uncertainty as Southee and Jamieson once again wreaked havoc on the batting lineup, reducing the hosts to a precarious 51/5. Yet, Shreyas Iyer (65 runs) and Wriddhiman Saha (61 not out) combined forces in a critical partnership that resurrected the innings. India eventually declared at 234/7, setting New Zealand a challenging target of 284 runs to chase down.
The chase proved to be an uphill task for New Zealand, and they found themselves at a dire 155/9, thanks to the relentless bowling efforts of Ashwin and Jadeja. However, debutant Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel demonstrated remarkable composure, batting out the final overs to secure a thrilling draw. The match concluded dramatically as bad light interrupted play with just eight minutes remaining on the final day, leaving both teams with mixed emotions about the outcome.
As the Indian team prepares for their upcoming challenge against Bangladesh, the memory of that gripping draw against New Zealand serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of Test cricket and the importance of resilience. The players will undoubtedly draw inspiration from their past experiences as they aim for a decisive victory in Kanpur, further solidifying their position in the series.
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