Rain played a part on the first day of the second Test between India and Bangladesh at Green Park, Kanpur, as Bas was leading the visitors at 107/3 in 35 overs when play was stopped.
The match had, in fact, begun an hour late due to a wet ground following rain that had fallen during the preceding night.
However, due to continuous rainfall after tea, the umpires decided to end the play early in the day.
For Bangladesh, Mominul Haque batted admirably, on 40* from 81, with Mushfiqur Rahim also out in the crease on 6 of 13 balls.
Only nine overs were bowled after lunchtime as the rains again intervened to end the day’s cricket early.
A Disrupted Day 1: Bangladesh Recovers After Early Setbacks
India won the toss and decided to field first in the conducive seamers track that was evident after the overhead overcast rains during the night.
The match wasitioned by an hour because of a wet ground but it started under overcast conditions.
The same playing eleven was selected from the first Test, where India had emerged victorious, and they went in with three pacers in Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep, while the spin duo was of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
Newcomer Akash Deep, who was exceptional in the last match, got into the wicket right in the first over and got rid of the Pakistan opener Zakir Hasan for a duck.
Hasan failed to perform as India’s pace attack bowled good length delivery. Jasprit Bumrah, especially, was very economical which sent three maiden overs in a row in the beginning.
Siraj and Deep lauded him with good lines, especially the Bangladeshi openers who found it difficult to get initiated.
The event was sailing smoothly until Deep set a pace that Bangladesh’s captains resisted, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Momenul Haque.
They put together 51 runs for the second wicket helping Bangladesh to steady after some early jitters.
But just when Shanto and Imrul looked set, Ravichandran Ashwin intervened and sent packing Shanto for 34 off 70 balls. Ashwin, India’s premier spinner, was especially impressive. His line, length, and the pace at which he bowled were first-rate.
Related Article : India vs Bangladesh 2nd Test: All You Need to Know About Pitch, Weather, and Team News
Rain Halts Play After Lunch
Islam was dismissed for two, caught by Amritajit Kaye off Gareth Berg for two at lunch; Bangladesh was at 74 for two in the 26th over, with Mominul Haque appearing set.
While the rain was a no-show throughout most of the morning, it was making an appearance at the end of the first session and minor interruptions followed.
The second session started 15 minutes late, and just when the players settled in, Akash Deep got his second wicket when Towhid Hridoy for 14.
India continued to bowl a tighter spell as Bangladesh was dismissed at 107 for three, and the visitors failed to consolidate much.
However, the real upset was aerial and creepy as soon as it started to get a bit dark, the umpires were compelled to stop play due to bad light and only forty-five minutes into the match’s second session.
Shortly afterward, the heavens opened and the outfield was saturated, and the players were ushered back to the dressing rooms.With no let-up in the rain, the umpires decided to take an early close, and the match was stopped. Bangladesh was at 107/3 in 35 overs.
India’s Bowling Unit Dominates
India’s bowlers, as had been seen time and again, put the Bangladeshi batting order under considerable pressure right from the word go.
Akash Deep was the pick of the bowlers, the rookie looking comfortable in only his second Test match, he bowled 10 splendid overs and gave away just 30 runs while taking 2 prime wickets.
This ability to go both ways caused problems for the Bangladeshi top order.
The first wicket to Deep was that of Zakir Hasan who got a fine edge to a swinging delivery to the slips, and another good wicket after lunch was that of Hridoy, bowled by another very good delivery.
Ashwin, who struck a big blow through Shanto, was equally effective with the ball, taking 1/23 off nine tight overs.
Jasprit Bumrah, who had no success with the ball in hand, was brilliant with his line and length, bowling a maximum of 14 from his seven allotted overs.
So, while the Indian bowlers were always on top of the proceedings, for Bangladesh, one man is still standing and that is Mominul Haque.
40 runs from him bailed the side out after early blows, and his presence could come in handy for Bangladesh when the game resumes.
What Lies Ahead
As we saw rain claiming the last say on the first day both sides will be praying for better weather on the second day.
Bangladesh will be eyeing to improve upon the total and for this, Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim were given the responsibility to provide a good start.
India has enjoyed the early success of pacers and spinners and is now in a comfortable position. The players will be keen to add more wickets to the Bangladeshi batsmen when the two teams return to the field.
As for the weather, the forecast is still rather unpredictable, although if the game goes on, India’s bowlers will probably stay as aggressive as they have been.
Bangladesh, on the opposite side will have to bat sensibly and aim for a respectable little score to have a feel in the game.
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References:
News18.com
NDTVIndia.com
