Bangladesh showed resilience against India on the opening day of the second Test, weathering a tricky morning session under overcast skies. Despite facing a barrage of probing deliveries from the Indian bowlers, the visitors managed to post a respectable score of 74-2 at lunch.
The match was delayed due to overnight rain, and Indian captain Rohit Sharma elected to bowl first, hoping to exploit the damp conditions. However, the Kanpur pitch proved to be more conducive to batting than the one used in the previous Test at Chepauk, offering a slower pace and less bounce.
The Indian new-ball duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj swung the ball prodigiously, but Bangladesh’s openers, Shadman Islam and Zakir Hasan, showed commendable technique to survive early pressure. However, the introduction of Akash Deep turned the tide, as the young pacer dismissed both openers in quick succession.
Despite the early wickets, Bangladesh’s Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque steadied the ship with a solid partnership. The duo faced a relentless assault from the Indian bowlers but remained resolute, frustrating the hosts’ attempts to break through. As the conditions improved, the pitch seemed to quicken up, but Shanto and Mominul continued to defy the bowlers.
Just as India appeared to be gaining momentum, rain interrupted play, forcing an early lunch break. Bangladesh will be hoping to build on their solid start and put pressure on India in the remaining sessions.
