India captain Rohit Sharma’s toss decision caught many by surprise.
India captain Rohit Sharma surprised everyone at the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur. Given the pitch, made with black soil that typically favours spinners, many expected India to field three spinners. However, Rohit Sharma blew first after winning the Toss and kept playing XI the same way, retaining pacers Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep in the Lineup.
it appears that Rohit Sharma’s Initial plan may not have been to play three seamers in Kanpur. Kuldeep Yadav, who missed the first test against Bangladesh, had an extensive net session before the match, indicating he might be considered for the playing XI. However, the overcast conditions at the Greenfield Stadium likely influenced Rohit and the Team management to reconsider their strategy.
Bangladesh 107/3 against India, fantastic batting so far. Play has been stopped due to bad light in Kanpur 🇮🇳🇧🇩💔#INDvBAN #tapmad #DontStopStreaming pic.twitter.com/2VBQRs8Sn2
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) September 27, 2024
Notably, Rohits decision to blow first after winning the toss at home was a rare occurrence for an Indian captain in the last nine years. The last time India opted to bowl first after winning the toss at home was in 2015 against South Africa in Bengaluru, under the leadership of Virat Kohli, which ended in a draw.
we are going to bowl first. The pitch looks a bit soft, we want to make early breakthroughs and use out three seamers effectively. we didn’t start well with the bat in the first match, but we found a way to score, and the bowlers did their job. i expect the same fight from Bangladesh, but we have the experience to respond,”Rohit said at the toss.
On the other hand, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed contentment with Rohit’ decision, as a they had plannedto bat first.
we’re happy to bat first; that was our plan. if we get a good start, we need to make it count. The new ball will be crucial. we have two changes: Nahid and Taskin are out, and Khaled ane in , “Shanto said.
India’s playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma (c), Shubhman Gill, Virat Kihli, Rishabh Pant (wk), KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandram Ashwin, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.