Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 51 runs in the chase of 95 as India defeated Bangladesh by seven wickets on the fifth day to win the series 2-0 at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur on Tuesday.
Despite two days of rain, the Indian team provided plenty of reasons for the local crowd to celebrate, with both bowlers and batters performing admirably.
With just 95 runs to win, India’s top order took an aggressive approach. Jaiswal and captain Rohit Sharma began the innings confidently. However, Rohit (8) fell early after being caught at a deep square leg while attempting a slog-sweep. It became his fourth consecutive low score in the series.
Undeterred, Jaiswal continued to assault despite losing Shubman Gill (6) to Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s crisp delivery. Virat Kohli strode in with calm assurance and appeared in supreme touch once more. His brilliant strokeplay kept India’s momentum going, while Jaiswal remained the aggressor.
Jaiswal scored a half-century off 43 balls, his sixth in Test cricket, but was dismissed after attempting to slog sweep Taijul Islam. He targeted the spinners throughout and struck 51 off 45 balls, combining 58 runs with Virat Kohli for the third wicket. Rishabh Pant hit a boundary off Taijul to seal the series.
Earlier, Day 4 saw a scintillating display of aggressive batting from India after Bangladesh was skittled out for 233 in their first innings. India, eager to push for a result, came out firing. Led by Rohit, Jaiswal, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, the Indian lineup went on a record-breaking spree, notching up the fastest 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 runs in Test history.
Jaiswal (72) and Rahul (68) scored half-centuries at a quick pace with India declaring at 285/9 in only 34.4 overs with a lead of 55 runs. Bangladesh spinners Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz shared eight wickets among them.
The crowd roared with enthusiasm as the Indian batters entertained them with fearless strokes, and chants echoed around the stadium for Rohit and Kohli’s dynamic show.
Bangladesh began their second innings on Day 5 at 36/2 and were ready to withstand the Indian onslaught. Shadman Islam and Mominul Haque initially demonstrated tenacity, but India’s bowlers quickly took over.
Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, together with bowler Jasprit Bumrah, mounted a devastating attack on Bangladesh’s lineup.
Mominul’s departure for just two runs, caught by KL Rahul off a superbly placed delivery from Ashwin, set off a collapse.
Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto was bowled by Jadeja with a reverse sweep, and the wickets began to fall quickly. Shadman, who had appeared stable with a well-crafted half-century, edged one to slip, and Litton Das was caught behind by a stinging Bumrah ball.
Bangladesh’s chances of survival evaporated in 35 minutes, as they were reduced to 130/9. Mushfiqur Rahim (37)’s late struggle could not help Bangladesh, as Bumrah clean-bowled him with a devastating yorker to close the innings at 146.
Earlier, India won the toss, chose to field first, and had Bangladesh at 107/3 in 35 overs before rain ruined the opening day. The game began only on Day 4, with India dismissing the opponents for 233, Mominul Haque scoring 107 not out and Bumrah leading the attack with 3-50.
For Bangladesh, the game felt like a squandered chance. Their inability to capitalize on excellent beginnings, along with India’s unrelenting bowling, exposed the talent difference. While their spinners showed potential, India’s experience and domination with bat and ball was too much to overcome. Bangladesh’s batting, which struggled against the more strong Indian assault than Pakistan’s, was unable to sustain the pressure.
Brief scores: Bangladesh 233 & 146 all out (Shadman Islam 50, Mushfiqur Rahim 37; Jasprit Bumrah 3-17, Ravindra Jadeja 3-34) lost to India 285/9 decl. & 98/3 (Yashasvi Jaiswal 51, Virat Kohli 29; Mehidy Hasan 2-44, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 1-36) by seven wickets.
Source: IANS