IND vs BAN: Team India's 2-day triumph over Bangladesh reaffirms World Test Championship stakes
Xtra Time Web Desk: India secured a commanding win against Bangladesh in the Kanpur Test on Tuesday, 1 October, despite losing more than two and a half days to bad weather and a wet outfield. On the final day, India chased down the target with seven wickets in hand during the second session at Green Park Stadium.
India adopted an aggressive approach, batting at a remarkable run rate of over 8 in the first innings and showing no hesitation with their bowling changes. The bowlers, led by captain Rohit Sharma's astute decisions, bundled Bangladesh out in just 47 overs on Day 5. For example, Mohammed Siraj was taken off after just four wicketless overs, and Jasprit Bumrah was brought back with the old ball to dismiss a resilient Mushfiqur Rahim.
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This result-oriented approach was compared to England's "Bazball" style of cricket, with fans dubbing India's version "Bazball Pro Max." Many believe this mindset is a direct consequence of the ICC's World Test Championship (WTC) format, which has incentivized teams to push for victories.
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India's win strengthens their position at the top of the WTC standings, though they still face challenges. A poor performance in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia could jeopardize their spot in the top two. To secure their place, India must aim for clean sweeps in their upcoming series against Bangladesh and New Zealand. A perfect result would take their percentage points to 79.76, ensuring they remain in contention even if they draw a Test in Australia.
The WTC format has revitalized Test cricket, making even weather-affected matches exciting as teams are rewarded for pushing for results. India's hunger for a win, despite the odds in Kanpur, is a testament to the competitive spirit the WTC has instilled in Test cricket.