Indian batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal’s half-century guided India to a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the second Test, securing a 2-0 series win at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur on Tuesday.
Bangladesh’s inability to capitalise on their opportunities was evident throughout the match. Their top-order batsmen failed to build on starts, and the middle order crumbled under pressure. The lack of partnerships and poor shot selection were glaring issues. Even when they had a realistic chance of drawing the match but their inability to withstand India's bowling attack led to a swift and shambolic collapse, resulting in a defeat within two and a half days of play.
The fielding was also below par, with several dropped catches and misfields adding to their woes. The bowlers, despite occasional brilliance, lacked consistency and failed to maintain pressure on the Indian batsmen.
Jaiswal, who scored 51 off 45 balls, notched his second half-century of the match, while Virat Kohli remained unbeaten on 29 as India comfortably chased down the target of 95, finishing on 98-3 in the second session of the fifth day.
Bangladesh's performance was marred by a series of collapses. Mehedi Hasan Miraz managed to claim the wickets of captain Rohit Sharma (eight) and Shubman Gill (six), while Taijul Islam dismissed Jaiswal. However, these efforts were insufficient to prevent a dismal defeat.
The Indian bowlers set the stage for victory in the morning session, taking eight wickets with Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah each securing three. Bangladesh's batting line-up crumbled under pressure, unable to mount a significant resistance.
Shadman Islam was the lone bright spot for Bangladesh, scoring 50 off 101 balls. His 55-run partnership with skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (19) for the fourth wicket briefly offered hope. However, once Shanto was dismissed, Bangladesh's innings fell apart, losing three wickets for just three runs, effectively sealing their fate. The match had already been disrupted by rain and a wet outfield, causing the loss of the second and third days. Despite this, India breathed life into the contest by bowling out Bangladesh for 233 in the first innings and then posting 285-9 before declaring late on Day 4.
Bangladesh's performance was a stark reminder of the gaps that need to be addressed in their cricketing setup. The lack of mental toughness, poor execution of skills, and inability to perform under pressure were evident throughout the series, highlighting the need for significant improvements if they are to compete at the highest level.
