Gambhir’s vision, Rohit’s aggression: How India breathed life into Kanpur Test

The ball was in India’s court by the time Bangladesh folded for 233 in their first innings in the second session on Day 4. With just over five sessions left.

The Kanpur Test seemed headed for a draw. Two-and-a-half days of play had been washed out due to rain and a wet outfield, leading to criticism of the facilities at Green Park, one of India’s oldest Test venues. However, when the sun shone brightly on Monday, India made hay.

India scored 50 runs in just three overs—something they hadn’t managed as quickly even in T20I or ODI cricket. Yashasvi Jaiswal set the tone with three boundaries in the first over, making the team’s intentions clear. His opening partner and captain, Rohit Sharma, followed suit, stepping down the track to hit pacer Khaled Ahmed for a six off the very first delivery of the innings. He then flicked the next ball into the stands. In the following over, Rohit smashed a monstrous six that soared past the seats in the stands.

Rohit may have made only 23 off 11 balls, but he set the tone for the rest of the day. After two low scores in the first Test in Chennai, many would have taken a few deliveries to settle in, but Rohit wasn’t in the mood to assess conditions. He immediately shifted to sixth gear, sending a clear message to the dressing room.

This aggressive approach carried through the batting order. Even tail-ender Akash Deep hit a couple of lusty blows before throwing his wicket away. India was racing against time, and it seems they won on Monday. By the end of the day’s play, India had not only taken a 52-run lead but also reduced Bangladesh to 26 for 2. A result had seemed improbable when Bangladesh resumed their innings at 107 for 3 on Monday morning, but as the sun began to set behind the clouds in Kanpur, India was firmly in the driver’s seat.

COLLECTIVE BUY-IN
The all-out aggression—fastest team to 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250—was a calculated strategy, according to bowling coach Morne Morkel. The team management, led by newly-appointed coach Gautam Gambhir, had made it clear before the players took the field on Monday that they would push for a result rather than settle for a draw. Whether it was in bowling, fielding, or batting, India played with a sense of urgency, aware that they needed a miracle to force a favorable result after losing nearly half the Test’s time.

“It was a massive call, and it was a collective buy-in from the batting group. That was important,” Morkel said at the press conference after India played what could be described as “Bazball Pro Max” on Monday.

“We needed a leader from the front to do that, and Rohit has done it so many times for India. Again today, he went for it—first ball, bang, six! On a surface where the bounce could be unpredictable, just making his mark like that was huge. As a bowling unit, it can push you on the back foot. It was great to see the captain leading from the front and setting the tone,” he added.

Rohit has made this aggressive style a habit. From the ODI World Cup at home, he has been more of an aggressor than an accumulator, content with playing quick, impactful cameos rather than worrying about missing out on big hundreds. It was no surprise to see him go for the big shots right from the start. However, the buy-in from the entire batting unit was particularly satisfying. Except for Rishabh Pant, each of the top six batsmen had a strike rate of over 100, as India ended the day with 285 for 9 in just 34.4 overs.

‘BOWLERS WERE INCREDIBLE’
Bowling coach Morkel also praised his bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, for making life difficult for the Bangladesh batsmen, who, according to him, didn’t seem interested in pushing the game forward.

“Our message this morning was clear. After losing two days of the Test match, we wanted to show positive intent. With two days left and extended sessions, it was important to put our foot on the pedal,” Morkel explained.

“The way the boys bowled up front was incredible. Even when we weren’t taking wickets, Bangladesh wasn’t going anywhere. The pressure they created eventually brought the wickets. The intent shown with the bat was equally awesome. I don’t think Bangladesh’s bowlers expected that. Our game plan was to push the game forward,” he added.

Was it a better version of the much-talked-about “Bazball”? Morkel chose not to get into labels but expressed his delight at seeing a team push for a result with a positive attitude in Test cricket.

“It’s great for the game to see a team really pushing for a win. That’s the beauty of our line-up—we have players who can adapt to different styles. If needed, they can go hard and take the game on. If needed, they can bat time. That’s one of the strengths of our batting unit—they know how to score big runs and put bowlers under pressure.

“To keep Test cricket alive, you need to play a great brand of cricket, and you will come out on top. Even the crowd enjoyed the game today—it had a T20 feel to it. If conditions allow or you’re in a position to push the play, that’s what you should do,” Morkel added.

Thanks to Gambhir’s vision and the execution of Rohit and his team, India now has an opportunity to wrap up the Test on Tuesday. It’s clear they are keen on making it five wins out of five in this home season before they head to Australia!