Rain threat looms as Tigers seek redemption against India

KANPUR, Sept26 (Agencies): As India and Bangladesh gear up for the second Test at Green Park Stadium here on Friday, there's plenty of anticipation, intrigue, and uncertainty surrounding the match.

Both teams have everything to play for, with India looking to continue their dominant home run and Bangladesh hoping to put up a stronger fight after their easy capitulation in the first Test in Chennai.

One of the primary factors influencing this Test will be the pitch and the weather. Traditionally, Kanpur offers balanced Test pitches. Fast bowlers enjoy some assistance on the first morning with movement and bounce, while the surface flattens out as the match progresses, aiding batsmen. In the latter half of the Test, spinners come into play, particularly on days four and five. This makes it crucial for both teams to get their strategy and combination right.

However, the weather could throw a spanner into the plans. Rain is forecast for the first three days of the match, which could impact not only the pitch's behaviour but also the team selections and the toss decision. Wet conditions could mean less assistance for spinners early on and more for the seamers, deciding to bat or bowl first all the more complex.

The surface being prepared for the match has also raised eyebrows. As of noon on the eve of the match, groundstaff were working on two different pitches, and it wasn't yet clear which one would be used. This has led to some uncertainty about how the track will play out, leaving both teams to make last-minute adjustments to their line-ups.

Putting behind their dismal performance in the two-match series opening game, Bangladesh vowed to show a steely resolve when they take on India in the second and final Test at Green Park in Kanpur tomorrow (Friday).

The match will start at 10 am (Bangladesh Time).

Bangladesh came into the series, high on confidence, following their historic 2-0 sweep against Pakistan but India proved to be an extremely tougher opponent at home.

The Tigers could fight neck-to-neck with India at best for just two sessions before India took the baton and eventually ended up winning it by 280-run margin.

After this defeat, a Test victory against India still remains elusive as Bangladesh now lost 12 in 14, two of which were drawn. The second Test is their last chance for the time being to break the defeat-jinx as they have no Test game scheduled against India in this cycle.

For Bangladesh, the challenges are numerous, but there are reasons to be optimistic. In their second innings in Chennai, their openers provided a solid platform, with Najmul Hossain Shanto returning to form with a well-played 82. Contributions from senior players like Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz also offered glimpses of potential.

However, to compete against India in their own backyard, Bangladesh will need to perform at their peak for sustained periods - something they have struggled to do in the past. The last time a Test was played in Kanpur, New Zealand's tail famously held on to secure a dramatic draw, and Bangladesh will hope to take inspiration from that as they aim to be more competitive.

There are also questions about the workload and fitness of some of Bangladesh's key players. Shakib Al Hasan, as always, is in the spotlight. In Chennai, he was seen biting a strap around his neck to keep his head steady while batting, raising concerns about his physical state.

His discomfort while bowling has also been noted, and it remains to be seen how much he can contribute with the ball in Kanpur. Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe confirmed Shakib's availability for this Test but hinted at the possibility of managing his workload.

If Bangladesh decide to go with three spinners, Taijul Islam might replace Nahid Rana, offering more variety and easing Shakib's bowling duties. The key for Bangladesh will be to find a balance between aggression and caution, both in their team composition and their approach on the field.