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The Indian cricket team is gearing up for the second Test match against Bangladesh, set to take place in Kanpur on September 27th. Ahead of the crucial match, India's captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir took a thorough inspection of the Green Park pitch on the first day of training. The duo meticulously analyzed the pitch, seeking to understand its potential behavior as the match progresses, hoping to gain an advantage over their opponents.
India enters this second Test with a commanding 1-0 lead in the series, aiming to secure a clean sweep and maintain their dominance on home turf. The team's recent performance in the first Test, held at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, demonstrated their strength, resulting in a resounding victory by 280 runs. The history of Test matches at Green Park, however, indicates a more balanced record. In 23 Test matches played at this venue, India has achieved seven wins, while facing three losses and experiencing 13 draws. The team will be hoping to replicate their Chennai triumph and add another victory to their Kanpur record.
The last Test match hosted in Kanpur took place in 2021 against New Zealand and ended in a nail-biting draw. The match showcased a thrilling encounter, with India battling hard in both innings. Shreyas Iyer's impressive century on debut and Ravindra Jadeja's contribution of 50 runs helped India reach a competitive total of 345 in their first innings. New Zealand, however, responded with a strong start, thanks to solid partnerships between openers Will Young and Tom Latham. Despite a valiant effort, New Zealand was eventually bowled out for 296, leaving India with a 49-run lead. The second innings witnessed a shaky start for India, but Shreyas Iyer and Wriddhiman Saha's vital partnership steadied the innings. India declared at 234/7, setting a challenging target of 284 runs for New Zealand. The final moments of the match were particularly dramatic, as New Zealand managed to bat out the final overs despite being down to their last two wickets, resulting in a thrilling draw.
Source: IND vs BAN: Rohit Sharma, Gautam Gambhir inspect Kanpur pitch ahead of 2nd Test