Rohit Sharma knew India’s only chance to win the second Test against Bangladesh after two and a half days were lost to rain and a wet outfield at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur was by adopting an aggressive, T20-style approach in their first innings. However, executing such a plan was much more challenging than it sounded. While an attacking mindset was necessary, it came with the risk of failure. If Indian batters fell while attempting risky shots, Bangladesh, who had already posted 233 runs in their first innings, could have seized the advantage.
Despite the risks, Rohit, along with head coach Gautam Gambhir and the team, decided to pursue the strategy. The Indian captain highlighted that they were prepared to take the chance to secure a result in India’s favor.
Rohit also acknowledged the crucial contributions of bowlers Jasprit Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja. Bangladesh resumed their second innings on Day 4 at 107/3 but were bowled out for 233, thanks to India’s bowling attack, which helped turn the tide in India’s favor.
The Indian skipper spoke in an interview which was posted on BCCI.TV, “Without the help of the other 10 players and obviously those sitting in the dressing room, this wouldn’t have been possible. When you lose two and a half days, it’s very easy for everyone to drift away from the goal that we had of winning this Test. We came here on Day 4; we needed 7 wickets to get them out. Everything started there. The bowlers came to the party first. They got the wickets that we needed.”
Rohit Sharma further said, “We had to take risks to get a result. I know the result could have gone either way but I was ready for it, so was the coach and the other players. You have to be brave enough to take those decisions and go and play that way. When things fall in place, everything looks good and that is where, it can change very quickly when things don’t fall in place. Everybody would have started criticising the decision we took and all of that. But what matters is what we think inside this changing room and that is what matters.”
That was certainly a courageous decision, isn’t it?
