Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra hailed India’s historic win in the second Test against Bangladesh at Green Park, Kanpur by seven wickets. With more than two days of action being washed out due to rain, many experts thought that the match was heading towards a mundane draw.
However, India was able to turn a corner when they declared after smashing 285-9 in 34.4 overs at an impressive economy rate of 8.28. Bangladesh was skittled out for 233 in the first innings and India was able to take a 52-run lead.
All the Indian batters took an aggressive approach in the first innings of the second Test, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul scoring fine fifties.
Subsequently, India came up with a collective bowling effort with Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravichandran Ashwin bagging three wickets apiece to bundle out the Tigers at 146. India was then able to chase down the target of 95 runs with ease on the final day.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “The second reason for which this series will be remembered is that history has been created. You can say what’s the big deal as you were supposed to beat Bangladesh even though they defeated Pakistan. You cannot beat India, no team has been able to do that, how will you?”
“Firstly, the playing style changed. We played on pitches where teams were bowling first after winning the toss and three fast bowlers were playing. It means you tried to challenge yourselves. If we talk about Kanpur, 35 overs on the first day, and no play on the second and third days. You said 100% draw,” the former India opener added.
Chopra noted that India created multiple records after winning the second Test at Kanpur.
“You won the match when 40 overs were still left. One-and-a-half sessions’ play was left. Two-and-a-half days’ play was lost. If you win despite that, it’s historic because you made one record after another. When you win when there is no expectation of a win, it’s a milestone,” he observed.
The former Delhi player added this Test match will define Rohit Sharma’s legacy as a Test skipper.
“This match and series will decide Rohit Sharma’s legacy as a Test captain because you couldn’t have won this series 2-0 without a change in the mindset and the captain’s confidence. You would have won the series but to win 2-0, you had to win in Kanpur and to breach the Kanpur fortress, Rohit Sharma’s mindset was wow,” he reasoned.
India will next take on Bangladesh in the opening T20I at the New Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium, Gwalior on Sunday.
