On the eve of the second Test against Bangladesh, India’s assistant coach Abhishek Nayar hoped for a ‘sunny day’ at the Green Park. But it turned out to be a gloomy Friday at the iconic venue as only 35 overs were possible due to heavy rain and bad light. And in those 166 minutes of play, Bangladesh scored 107 for 3, recovering from two early blows by Akash Deep (two for 34).
Under overcast skies, India went ahead with an unchanged eleven - with three seamers and two spinners - after a wet outfield caused by overnight rain led to a delayed start. And, on a surface that looked a bit soft and had a tinge of green, India opted to field - becoming the first team to do so at the venue since 1964.
With the team management’s horses for courses approach keeping the conditions in mind, local lad Kuldeep Yadav had to once again warm the bench, and despite three maiden overs, neither Jasprit Bumrah nor Mohammed Siraj could provide breakthroughs.
But as soon as Akash Deep took charge in the ninth over, things changed. After surviving the early spells, Bangladesh openers Shadman Islam and Zakir Hasan were put to test and the latter, who looked jittery, fell for a 24-ball duck off the third ball of Akash’s opening over.
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Even though Shadman seemed comfortable, his stay at the crease was cut short by Akash, who trapped him leg before. As the ball hit Shadman’s pad, the on-field umpire denied the lbw appeal, but with Akash confident, India reviewed the decision and it was clear that the ball was clearly hitting the leg stump.
Amid huge cheers from the fans, India hoped to make further inroads, but captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (31, 57b) and Mominul Haque (40 batting, 81b) ensured that it went into lunch with no more slip-ups. A calm and composed Shanto started off with a flurry of boundaries, and Mominul, too, was back in shape after hitting a few boundaries.
As the two went about their business, the pressure mounted on the Indian bowlers. And shortly after the lunch session, which was extended by 15 minutes due to drizzle, Ravichandran Ashwin trapped Shanto leg before, drawing curtains on the 51-run stand.
As a dejected Bangladesh captain walked back to the pavilion, the onus was on Mominul and the seasoned Mushfiqur Rahim to rebuild, and despite some nervy moments, they ensured that Bangladesh did not lose the plot by the time the day’s play was called off after heavy downpour.
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