India vs Bangladesh 2nd Test: India Eyes Victory as Bangladesh Fights to Survive, Stumbles to 26/2 at Stumps on Day 4

As Day 4 of the 2nd Test match between India and Bangladesh came to a close at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur, the tension in the air was palpable. With Bangladesh teetering at 26/2 and trailing by 26 runs, the match is set for a gripping final day. India, with a slender first-innings lead of 52 runs, put up a spirited bowling display, pushing Bangladesh’s top order into a corner. The fifth and final day will see Bangladesh fighting to avoid a series defeat, while India eyes a swift victory.

India’s Gritty Batting Effort: Setting Up a Defendable Lead

The morning of Day 4 saw India resuming their second innings at 144/5, still leading by a modest 92 runs. With the match delicately poised, the Indian batsmen knew that every run would count on a pitch that had started to show signs of uneven bounce and spin. Captain Rohit Sharma, the anchor of India’s innings, played a crucial role with his half-century, adding stability to the Indian lineup. His patient 54 runs came off 145 balls, a testament to his determination to grind out runs on a difficult wicket.

Cheteshwar Pujara, known for his resilience in the longest format, also made a valuable contribution, scoring 46 runs. Pujara’s knock, though not the most fluent, was vital in wearing down Bangladesh’s bowlers and ensuring India maintained their lead.

However, just when India seemed to be in control, Bangladesh’s spinners turned the tide. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who had already troubled the Indian batsmen in the first innings, delivered a masterclass in spin bowling. His variations in flight, speed, and turn kept the Indian lower order guessing, eventually leading to their collapse. Miraz claimed his seventh five-wicket haul in Test cricket, finishing with impressive figures of 5/74. His effort restricted India to 204, a total that seemed within reach for Bangladesh but far from a comfortable target.

Mehidy Hasan’s Magic: Bangladesh’s Bright Spot

Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s performance on Day 4 was undoubtedly the highlight for Bangladesh. His ability to exploit the conditions, particularly on a fourth-day pitch, made life difficult for India’s batsmen. Miraz’s control over his line and length, combined with his deceptive variations, allowed him to break through India’s resistance.

The key moment came when he dismissed Rohit Sharma, who had looked set to guide India to a more formidable total. A sharply turning delivery from Miraz caught Rohit off guard, leading to his downfall and opening the floodgates for Bangladesh. From there, the rest of India’s batting lineup fell apart, with Miraz picking up wickets in quick succession, including Ravindra Jadeja, who was bowled by a delivery that spun sharply from outside off stump.

Bangladesh’s bowlers, led by Miraz, had done their job, leaving their batsmen with a chaseable target. However, the pressure was still on their top order to negotiate a tricky spell of bowling late in the day.

India’s Bowling Attack: Early Strikes Set the Tone

With only 52 runs in the bank, India knew they needed a strong start with the ball to put Bangladesh under pressure. Enter Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah, two of India’s premier fast bowlers, who delivered just what the team needed. Siraj, known for his aggression and ability to swing the ball, struck early in Bangladesh’s second innings.

His delivery to dismiss Mahmudul Hasan Joy was a beauty. The ball pitched on a good length, straightened off the seam, and found the edge of Joy’s bat. The catch was comfortably taken at second slip, and Bangladesh lost their first wicket with just 10 runs on the board. This early breakthrough set the tone for the rest of the session, as the Indian bowlers smelled blood.

Jasprit Bumrah, the spearhead of India’s attack, soon joined the party. He bowled with pace and precision, constantly probing the outside edge of the batsmen. Shadman Islam, the other opener for Bangladesh, became Bumrah’s victim as he edged a delivery that kicked off the surface. Wicketkeeper KS Bharat made no mistake, and Bangladesh found themselves in a precarious position at 26/2.

With two early wickets down and the day drawing to a close, Bangladesh’s hopes of chasing down India’s lead took a significant hit. The Indian bowlers, particularly Siraj and Bumrah, had executed their plans to perfection, leaving Bangladesh reeling.

Bangladesh’s Batting Woes Continue

Bangladesh’s batting lineup has struggled throughout the series, and their second innings in Kanpur was no exception. The loss of two early wickets has left them in a vulnerable position, and the responsibility now falls on their experienced middle order to rescue the situation.

Captain Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim will be the key players for Bangladesh on the final day. Both veterans have a wealth of experience in handling pressure situations, but they will need to summon their best form to keep India’s bowlers at bay.

Shakib, who is known for his all-round abilities, will need to lead from the front. His ability to counterattack while also rotating the strike will be crucial if Bangladesh are to avoid a collapse. Mushfiqur, on the other hand, is known for his composure and technical prowess, making him well-suited to grind out a match-saving innings.

Final Day Preview: Can Bangladesh Hold On?

As we head into the final day, the equation is simple: Bangladesh needs 26 more runs to wipe off India’s lead, while India needs eight wickets to seal the series. The pitch at Green Park has deteriorated, with uneven bounce and sharp turn making batting increasingly difficult.

India’s spinners, particularly Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, will be licking their lips at the prospect of bowling on a fifth-day track. Ashwin, with his variations in spin and flight, will be a major threat to Bangladesh’s left-handers, while Jadeja’s accuracy and ability to skid the ball will make life difficult for the batsmen.

Bangladesh’s best chance of survival lies in a solid partnership between Shakib and Mushfiqur. If they can see off the early overs and frustrate India’s bowlers, they might have a chance to push for a draw. However, with India’s bowling attack firing on all cylinders, it will be a monumental task for Bangladesh to avoid defeat.

Conclusion: A Thrilling Finale Awaits

The 2nd Test between India and Bangladesh has been a low-scoring yet riveting contest, and Day 5 promises to be a fitting conclusion. With both teams still in with a chance of victory, cricket fans around the world will be glued to their screens as the final day unfolds. Will India’s bowlers finish the job, or can Bangladesh pull off a remarkable fightback? We’ll find out soon enough.