In an attempt to obtain a result from a pitch that “didn’t have much for the bowlers,” Rohit Sharma stated that India was prepared to take the chance of being bowled out for a low score in the first innings. There was no activity on the second or third days of the Kanpur Test due to drizzle or damp outfield, respectively.
However, because of the clear weather during the final two days of the Test, India was able to bowl out Bangladesh for 233 in the first innings, taking the final seven wickets for a mere 121 runs, and then declare on 285 for 9 in just 34.4 overs to have one last crack at the opposition.
“We had to think a lot [about] how the game can keep moving forward once we lost two-and-a-half days,” Rohit said after India pulled off one of the most sensational test-match victories. “When we came on day four, we thought, okay, let’s try and get them out as quickly as possible and then see with the bat what we can do. Once they had got 230-odd, we said it was not about the runs we got but it was about the overs we wanted to bowl at them. It meant we had to try and up the run-rate and score as many as possible because the pitch did not have much for the bowlers.”
Yashasvi Jaiswal also showed off his T20 skills, while Rohit himself got off to a scorching start, scoring 23 off only 11 balls, including blasting the first two balls he faced for consecutive sixes. Jaiswal became the first Indian to reach fifty in both innings in a Test match in less than fifty balls with a 51-ball 72 in the first innings and a 45-ball 51 in the second.
“To make a game out of that pitch was a super effort from the bowlers, and then for the batters to buy into that thought of going and getting the runs as quickly as possible,” Rohit said. “It was a risk we were willing to take because when you’re trying to bat like that, it is very easy that you can get bundled out for a low score as well. But we were ready with that factor as well, that even if we get all out for 100-150, we wanted to give ourselves a chance to be in the game and try and get a result.”
R Ashwin was named Player of the Series for his all-around performance. In the first innings in Chennai, he amassed 114 runs, including a century, and claimed 11 wickets, which was tied for the highest in the series.
“When we bowled them out yesterday a little after lunch, Rohit was very keen [to get a result],” Ashwin said. “He said, we at least need 80 overs to bowl at them and the moment he came inside and gave that talk [that] we are going to go after it and even if we get all out under 230, I mean, we set the cat amongst the pigeons.
“It’s not only him saying it but he went out there and hit his first [two balls] for a six. You set the tone that way, and obviously, everybody follows on from there.”
The game was a perfect example of India’s beast-winning mentality and what India can offer if they decide to go for a result. What India achieved especially on Day 4 of the game was something beyond the imagination of cricketing pandits, as well as the fans. The win has also come at a very crucial point in the WTC cycle. India now needs to win 4 and draw 1 out of their remaining 8 tests (depending on other teams’ results) to confirm their spot in the Lords’ final next year.
The side’s next big assignment is against New Zealand, where the series will feature 3 Tests at home for India. Rohit and Co. would be eager to win all the home games to avoid carrying extra pressure to the Border-Gavaskar trophy.
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