India extend lead on WTC standings after Kanpur victory

India celebrate their series win

India’s exceptionally aggressive approach in Kanpur paid dividends as they secured a famous triumph over Bangladesh in the second Test yesterday.

With this victory, they further bolstered their position at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, with an improved point percentage of 74.24.

For Bangladesh, this loss means a point percentage of 34.38 and they slip to the seventh position behind South Africa and New Zealand.

Bangladesh’s first innings was spread over four days, with Day 1 impacted by rain and Days 2 and 3 being completely lost to inclement weather and a wet pitch. 

They eventually finished at 233, reaching that total courtesy of Mominul Haque’s 107.

With little time left in the game, India went into all-out attack mode, scoring the fastest Test team 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 on the way. 

After getting 52 runs ahead of Bangladesh in just 34.4 overs, Rohit Sharma declared India’s innings. Yashasvi Jaiswal (72 from 51) and K. L. Rahul (68 from 43) were the star contributors.

Ravichandran Ashwin struck twice on the fourth evening to keep India in contention for a win.

Rohit’s team went in full force on the final day, with Ravichandran Ashwin (3/50) getting an early scalp. A resilient stand between Shadman Islam (50) and Najmul Hossain Shanto fought for Bangladesh but Ravindra Jadeja (3/34) turned it around with a fabulous spell, getting three crucial scalps in his first three overs.

Jasprit Bumrah (3/17) got through the tail in no time, as Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for 146 runs. India kept their foot on the pedal in the fourth innings as well and chased down a target of 95 with seven wickets to spare.

Next up, India will take on New Zealand, whereas Bangladesh host South Africa at home.

Chief scores: 
Bangladesh: 233 and 146 (Shadman Islam 50, Mushfiqur Rahim 37, Jasprit Bumrah 3/17, Ravindra Jadeja 3/34) 
India: 285/9 decl and 98/3 (Yashasvi Jaiswal 51, Mehidy Hasan 2/44). ICC