Team India delivered a remarkable performance in the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur, securing a seven-wicket victory in a match that initially seemed destined for a draw due to washouts on Days 2 and 3. With just 35 overs of play across the first three days, hopes for a result were slim. However, India’s bold batting approach turned the game in their favor, as they smashed 285/9 declared in just 34.4 overs, gaining a crucial 52-run lead.
India’s aggressive tactics didn’t stop there; the bowling attack then dismantled Bangladesh for a mere 146, clinching a dominant win. The team’s decision to chase a win despite limited time earned widespread praise from fans and cricket experts, including former Australian wicketkeeper-batter Brad Haddin.
“They gave themselves a chance to win the game. It wasn’t about how many runs I score, it’s about finding enough time to bowl Bangladesh out. They played a great brand of cricket, but it was all about giving them enough time. My hat goes off to support staff, Rohit Sharma… he has always been this sort of captain: Win first,” Brad Haddin said on a podcast.
Brad Haddin lauded India’s mindset of prioritizing a result over settling for a draw, praising Rohit Sharma’s leadership. He noted that India’s boldness, especially scoring at a rate of nearly 10 runs per over, was impressive in a situation where many teams would have played it safe. “The mindset of Rohit Sharma to find a way to manipulate a result… teams are scared to go 10 runs/over in 20 overs cricket! So, I take my hats off to India,” he added.
When asked whether India could replicate such a performance in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, Brad Haddin believed that India’s fearless approach under Rohit Sharma could produce similar results. “I actually do. Because if you look at this result… the worst result for India would’ve been a draw. There was no way India would’ve lost it. Rohit had nothing to lose. How good was it to watch! It’s a wonderful way to win Test cricket,” Brad Haddin concluded.
India’s victory in the rain-affected Kanpur Test showcased their adaptability and desire to push for results, strengthening their reputation as a formidable force in Test cricket under Rohit Sharma’s leadership.
