Bangladesh stable after Akash Deep’s double attack

Bangladesh were put into bat in overcast conditions and endured a reasonable morning session on the first day of the second Test against India in Kanpur. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (28*) and Mominul Haque (17*) put up an unbroken stand of 45 runs to defy India’s attack in tough conditions. A wet outfield due to overnight rain had resulted in a delayed start and these factors influenced Indian captain Rohit Sharma to bowl at the toss. However, it was clear from the start that the Kanpur surface was in stark contrast to the deck seen at Chepauk.

Although there was grass on offer, the black soil of the deck meant a lower degree of resilience and a slower nature of the surface. Indian new-ball duo Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj did get the ball swinging, and the movement was more often than not miraculous. Bangladesh openers Shadman Islam and Zakir Hasan survived a few close calls but generally looked confident against the new ball until the arrival of Akash Deep. India’s latest fast bowling sensation struck again in his first over as he got Zakir on the edge of gully where Yashasvi Jaiswal picked a blinder. Soon after, the pacer had Shadman LBW to give India momentum.

Akash Deep was easily the favorite of the bowlers in the session as he hit penetrating lines and lengths to frustrate the Bangladesh batters. However, Shanto and Mominul hung in there to blunt the bowling. As conditions brightened, the surface appeared to have accelerated as the moisture disappeared. There was still plenty of help for the bowlers and India threw everything they could at the Shanto-Mominul partnership only for the pair to hold out. The duo managed to prevent further damage and the rain arrived in time around lunchtime.

Short scores: Bangladesh 74-2 (Najmul Hossain Shanto 28*; Akash Deep 2-14) vs India