India and Bangladesh meet in the second and final Test of the series, played between the two teams at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. It has been quite some time since a match was played at this venue, and it remains to be seen how it responds and reacts to such immense pressure being put on it. India won the first match played in Chennai by a whopping margin of 280 runs, giving them the confidence to take the challenge on to the Bangladeshis in this match.
All-rounder and legend Shakib Al Hasan has expressed his desire to retire from Test cricket after the South Africa series at home next month. Yet, it doesn’t look possible, as this will be his last Test. Shakib is embroiled in a controversy. He was accused in a murder case by the current government of Bangladesh. If this turns out to be his final Test, Shakib will be hoping to give it his all and make sure that Bangladesh can come back with a win and level the series. His performance was not quite up to the mark in the first Test although skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto has defended him in public.
Centuries from Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant helped India in the second innings of the first Test. They are expected to do the same in this match as well. If India’s batters are able to settle down nicely and push the Bangladeshi bowlers to the brink of despair, they will be able to seize a massive advantage over them. On the other hand, the visitors need to make sure that they are not afraid of the challenges thrown their way by the Indians. Shanto must reiterate to his teammates that they must believe in their skills and ensure they do not cower when they feel pressured. Bangladesh have a lot of top-quality players in their ranks who can rise to the occasion and save the day for them if the need arises.
Predicted Squads
IND: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
BAN: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana.
Key Players
Shubman Gill (IND): Shubman Gill was asked to bat number three in Test cricket by the team management. He showed his class with a brilliant ton in the second innings of the first Test. He will also be keen on carrying on his form in this match and ensure that he is the pack’s leader when India walk out to bat.
Hasan Mahmud (BAN): Pacer Hasan Mahmud wreaked havoc in the Indian camp with his brilliant bowling in the first innings of the first Test. Conditions in Kanpur are expected to be helpful towards seamers in general, and he will be licking his lips in anticipation of what is to come. Mahmud is known to hit the deck hard and get the ball to move in both directions.
Match Prediction
India are comfortably the overwhelming favourites to win this game. Having already taken a sizable and unassailable 1-0 lead in the series, India know that even a draw should be enough for them here. However, captain Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir will not want their players to imbibe that mindset. India will go for the kill straight away despite conditions in Kanpur that are known to be favourable towards seamers.
