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After a comprehensive victory in the first Test of the two-match series, India will aim to extend their lead over their near neighbours, Bangladesh as they next host the side in the second Test, set to be played at the Green Park in Kanpur from Friday, September 27. Ahead of the final Test, both teams have been closing analysing the pitch conditions after the first Test saw the match culminate within four days in a dramatic fashion.
How will the Green Park pitch turn out in the second Test?
The Green Park in Kanpur is known for its traditional black soil pitches, displaying distinct features compared to the one from Chennai Test. Seeing this, it is understood that unlike the true bounce that lasted for four days in the Chennai Test, the pitch at Green Park is expected to provide a flatter wicket, with slower playing field.
This implies that the bounce will be comparatively lower, making it crucial for batters to adjust their technique to score effectively. Moreover, the pitch at Green Park is set to become increasingly slower as the Test gets older, proving it to be a contrast of the Chennai pitch where both, seamers and spinners were provided good bounce.
The slower nature of bounce at the Kanpur pitch is likely to bring some changes in both sides. It is highly likely that a third seamer could be replaced by a spinner, that means that one from Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel could get a chance in the Playing XI. With Shakib Al Hasan also being doubtful for the second Test with injury concerns, the visitors might look in to bring left-arm spinner Taijul Islam in place of Nahid Rana or may even look at Nayeem Hasan.
How has Kanpur pitch come out in past Test matches?
Recalling the last Test in Kanpur, which was played in 2021 against New Zealand, India played with three spinners in Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. While it was the first Test played at the venue since 2016, it ended in a hard-fought draw. Despite India’s advantage, New Zealand players' resilience shone as their batters stood up, dominating the spin favourable conditions. Meanwhile, in 2016, India won the Test match comfortably, which was also played against New Zealand.
India vs Bangladesh second Test squads
India: Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Yash Dayal
Bangladesh: Najmul Shanto (C), Shadman Islam, Zakhir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das, Mehidy Miraz, Jaker Ali, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, Taijul Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Nayeem Hasan, Khaled Ahmed
