India vs Bangladesh 2nd Test at Kanpur: India looks to seal the series and stay on track for the WTC final. Pitch report, key players, and match preview.
The Men in Blue aim to level the two-match series against the Bangladesh National Cricket Team and keep alive hopes for a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final which pits them against their opponent, Bangladesh in the second and final Test which will be played in Kanpur at the Green Park Stadium commencing on Friday, September 27. After a comprehensive series opening victory in Chennai by 280 runs, Rohit Sharma's team has set its sights on dominating the longest format once again.
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| Picture - ICC |
The competition for the WTC 2025 final is hitting up, and so the stakes are quite high for India. Presently, they are atop the table with a 71.67% win percentage, while after the defeat, Bangladesh slipped down the table to sixth place with a 39.29% win percentage. Considering the fact that India is already on the verge of its entry into the final of another WTC, the forthcoming Test in Kanpur becomes extremely crucial in terms of helping them stay in the framing of the title contention.
India's Dominance Over Bangladesh Continues
Statistics and records speak about India’s ruthless dominance over Bangladesh in Test cricket. In 13 matches, India has won 11 games and 2 matches have ended in a draw extending their unbeaten run against the Tigers. The first test match of the series played in Chennai proved the fact that depths of Indian shores are steeper than their opponents as both batting and bowling departments worked to their maximum potential.
The players under Rohit Sharma will now try to make use of the winning streak and finish the series. During the Test match played in Chennai, Bangladesh's batting line up was cleverly outplayed by Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel throught the use of spin. Judging from the conditions that are expected in Kanpur that will be conducive to spin bowling, the Indian team may have to employ their deadly spin contingent once again.
The historical significance of Green Park Stadium in Kanpur cannot be overstated, for it has witnessed 23 Test matches since the very first game in 1952. The record of India in this ground has been mixed with 7 victories, 3 defeats, and 11 draws. Nonetheless, in the forthcoming Test, the iconic venue will be hosting its very first match between India and Bangladesh. The last Test match in Kanpur was played in 2021, when India drew the Test against New Zealand in very tough circumstances, with Rachin Ravindra blocking India’s spinners from getting him out till the last session.
Green Park Stadium Pitch Report: Spin to Win?
The surface at Green Park is one such surface on which majority of the matches are spin oriented, with the pitches made of black clay, known to have low pace but extreme turn. Traditionally, Skippers have sided with batting first on this entrance as this was achingly time, helpful for the batsman squared pitched started to peel away.
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| Green Park Stadium, Kanpur |
The last Test played in Kanpur saw Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin wreak havoc with the ball and Indian fans will be expecting their spin attack to deliver similar if not better results this time. Reports suggest that the stadium will be hosting its fixture on a black soil pitch and hence it is expected that both teams will again load their squad with spinners. The spin attack of Bangladesh led by Shakib Al Hasan will also try to take full advantage of the surfaces.
Given the context of the series, this is a must win match for Bangladesh if they want to restore some pride in the series as well as add to the points in WTC. Batting would require support from players like Najmul Hossain Shanto and Shakib Al Hasan and their spinners in order to be a challenge against India. Yet, since the pitch in Kanpur is more conducive to spinners, Bangladesh will have to bat and bowl about sensibly in order to remain in the match.
Green Park Stadium Test Stats and Record
Matches: 23
India Won: 7
Visiting Team Won: 3
Match Drawn: 13
Matches Won Batting 1st: 7
Matches Won Batting 2nd: 3
Highest Team Total: 676/7 by India vs Sri Lanka in 1986
Lowest Team Total: 105 All Out by Australia vs India in 1959
Average 1st Innings Score: 370
Average 2nd Innings Score: 322
Average 3rd Innings Score: 253
Average 4th Innings Score: 137
Highest Individual Score: Sheik Bacchus (West Indies) - 250 vs India in 1979
Best Bowling Innings: Jasubhai Patel (India) - 9 for 69 vs Australia in 1959
Best Bowling Match: Jasubhai Patel (India) - 14 for 124 vs Australia in 1959
A few members of the current Indian team have played only one or a maximum of two matches at the venue in Kanpur with Axar Patel, R Ashwin, Jadeja and Rohit having some memorable performances.
Here is a look at the active top run-scorers and wicket-takers:
Current Indian players with most Test runs in Kanpur
Ravindra Jadeja - 142 runs in 4 innings
Ravichandran Ashwin - 110 runs in 3 innings
Rohit Sharma - 103 runs in 2 innings
KL Raul - 70 runs in 2 innings
Shubman Gill - 53 runs in 2 innings
Current Indian players with most Test wickets in Kanpur
R Ashwin - 16 wickets in 2 matches
Ravindra Jadeja - 11 wickets in 2 matches
Axar Patel - 6 wickets in 1 match
India vs Bangladesh 2nd Test Dates, Timing and Telecast Info
Match Dates: Friday, September 27 to Tuesday, October 1
Match Start Time (September 27-October 1): 9:30 AM IST
TV Channels: Sports 18-1 SD, Sports 18-1 HD, Sports 18-2 (Hindi)
Live Streaming: JioCinema
