Spin likely to have bigger role in batting-friendly Kanpur as India target 2-0

The last time India played a Test in Kanpur was in November 21. That match ended in a draw, with the debutant Rachin Ravindra, then aged 22, batting 91 balls from India’s three spinners to help earn New Zealand a thrilling result as bad light brought about the end of play. India looked set to close in on the visitors as the Test neared it conclusion, but Ravindra absorbed the pressure to score 18 unbeaten runs in the company of the last man Ajaz Patel who batted 23 balls. 

In that Test match, India played three spinners in Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel and two pacers in Umesh Yadav and Ishant Sharma. Of the 19 New Zealand wickets that fell, 17 went to spin. Ishant bowled 22 wicketless over across two innings and Umesh had match figures of 30-5-84-1. 

Which brings us to this week’s Green Park fixture against Bangladesh, who were walloped by 280 runs before lunch on day four of the first Test. If reports are to be believed, the black-soil pitch will not aid pace as much, and the chance of batting being easier than in Chennai suggests that both teams will shelve the three-pacer approach that did not bring dividends in the first Test.

In the most recent Ranji Trophy match played in Kanpur, back in early February, the track was so flat that hosts Uttar Pradesh piled up a total of 548/8 declared and then Assam were 316/2 when a draw was announced. It might not be the most realistic example given that this is a Test match in late September, but all signs are that both teams will enjoy batting in Kanpur. 

Ahead of sterner challenges from New Zealand’s bowlers, India need runs from Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul. The big three of this team, in terms of experience, combined for 72 runs in six innings during the Chennai Test. Batting conditions should be easier in Kanpur, which brings hope of a revival from Kohli, chiefly, who since the start of 2021 averages 32 at home. Rahul has been backed to play all through the ongoing WTC cycle, and looking ahead to the Australia tour, he is in dire need of runs. 

For India, in terms of changes, Kuldeep Yadav for a pacer looks the likeliest inclusion. Given Jasprit Bumrah’s workload – New Zealand will play three Tests in India next month – it could be that the management rests him. Akash Deep was impressive in Chennai but was given only 11 overs across both of Bangladesh’s innings. Mohammed Siraj took two wickets in 20.1 overs and was erratic at times. Resting Siraj and handing the uncapped left-arm pacer Yash Dayal a debut would mean that India’s two quicks would have the combined experience of just two Test matches. 

Bangladesh missed the left-arm spin of Taijul Islam in Chennai and should make a direct swap with Nahid Rana who was the weakest of their three pacers in the first Test. Shakib Al Hasan’s fitness is under watch, and should he be ruled out then the visitors will likely have to draft in the offspinner Nayeem Hasan. 

India likely playing 11: 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 3 Shubman Gill, 4 Virat Kohli, 5 Rishabh Pant (wk), 6 KL Rahul, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 R Ashwin, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Mohammed Siraj, 11 Akash Deep

Bangladesh playing 11: Shadman Islam, 2 Zakir Hasan, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), 4 Mominul Haque, 5 Mushfiqur Rahim, 6 Shakib Al Hasan/Nayeem Hasan, 7 Litton Das (wk), 8 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 9 Taijul Islam, 10 Taskin Ahmed, 11 Hasan Mahmud