As India gears up to face Bangladesh in the second Test of their series, the focus has shifted to the pitch at Kanpur’s Green Park Stadium. According to reports, the playing conditions are expected to be starkly different from the opening Test at Chennai’s Chepauk Stadium, where both teams employed a three-prong pace attack. In Kanpur, however, a black soil pitch with lower bounce and slower carry is likely to dictate a more spin-dominant contest.
Pitch Report: Slow and Spin-Friendly
The surface at Green Park is expected to be flatter with much less bounce than what was observed in Chennai. The black soil composition is responsible for this nature of the pitch, unlike the red soil in Chennai which provided better bounce and carry. As the Test progresses, the pitch is expected to deteriorate, making batting progressively more challenging, especially on the final two days.
According to a report from ESPNcricinfo, the slower and lower characteristics of the Kanpur pitch mean that both India and Bangladesh may reconsider their team compositions. Unlike in Chennai, where the fast bowlers were the early protagonists, Kanpur is set to favor spinners from the get-go, and teams may opt for additional spinners rather than relying on their pace attacks.
Impact on Team Selection
India’s bowling attack in the first Test featured three pacers—Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Shardul Thakur—complemented by the spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. However, with Kanpur’s conditions expected to assist spin, there is speculation that India may drop one of the fast bowlers in favor of a third spinner. Left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav or left-arm orthodox spinner Axar Patel could be in contention for a spot in the playing XI.
Kuldeep’s inclusion could be particularly noteworthy as he has previously thrived in subcontinental conditions and his wrist-spin could provide a different challenge for Bangladesh’s batters. Axar, on the other hand, is known for his accuracy and ability to exploit low and slow conditions, which may make him an equally viable option.
Jasprit Bumrah or Mohammed Siraj to Be Rested?
With India playing a packed schedule, there is also the possibility that the team management could give either Bumrah or Siraj a breather in preparation for future matches. Bumrah, India’s spearhead, has been in fine form, but his workload management remains a priority. Siraj, on the other hand, has consistently delivered but could make way for a spinner or a local talent familiar with the conditions.
There is also speculation that Yash Dayal, the Uttar Pradesh-born left-arm seamer, could make his Test debut. Dayal is familiar with the conditions in Kanpur, having played extensively in the Ranji Trophy. His local knowledge could offer India a strategic advantage if they decide to persist with three seamers.
Bangladesh’s Response
Bangladesh’s bowling attack also featured three seamers in the first Test, but their spinners, including Mehidy Hasan and Taijul Islam, are expected to play a larger role in Kanpur. Given the pitch’s characteristics, Bangladesh could bolster their spin department by including a third spinner, such as Nasum Ahmed.
In the first Test, Bangladesh’s fast bowlers dominated the early exchanges, but as the pitch wore down, India’s spinners Ashwin and Jadeja took control, leading to Bangladesh’s downfall in the second innings. With conditions in Kanpur expected to suit the spinners from day one, Bangladesh may opt for a more balanced attack with greater emphasis on spin.
Recent History at Green Park
Kanpur has hosted only two Test matches in the last eight years, both involving New Zealand. The first, in 2016, saw India win by 197 runs, with Ashwin and Jadeja playing key roles. The second, in 2021, was a hard-fought contest that ended in a draw, with New Zealand showing remarkable resilience.
Both of those matches lasted all five days, and India relied on their spinners to do the bulk of the work in Kanpur’s spin-friendly conditions. In 2021, India employed a three-spinner attack with Ashwin, Jadeja, and Axar Patel, while in 2016, Ashwin and Jadeja alone carried the workload.
Conclusion
With conditions set to favor spin, the second Test in Kanpur is shaping up to be a battle of wits between both teams’ spinners. The pitch will likely slow down and become more difficult for batters as the game progresses, making the toss a crucial factor. Teams winning the toss will be eager to bat first and put up a big score before the surface deteriorates.
For India, the decision on whether to include an extra spinner or persist with a three-prong pace attack will be closely watched. Bangladesh, too, will need to adapt their strategy to the more spin-friendly conditions. One thing is clear—fans can expect a gripping contest at Green Park, where spinners could hold the key to victory.
The second Test between India and Bangladesh will begin on September 28, 2024, at Green Park Stadium, Kanpur.
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