India whitewash Bangladesh to show Pakistan how it is done

India overwhelmed Bangladesh by seven wickets in the rain-truncated second Test in Kanpur to complete a 2-0 series sweep on Tuesday.

Spinner Ravindra Jadeja and seamer Jasprit Bumrah wreaked havoc in the extended morning session when Bangladesh lost eight wickets to be bowled out for a paltry 146.

It left India needing 95 on the final day and they did it with more than a session to spare, losing three wickets in the process.

Ravindra Jadeja picked up three wickets in three overs on fifth day of the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur.AFP

Yashasvi Jaiswal led their chase with a fluent 51, his second half-century of the match, before his dismissal while Virat Kohli remained unbeaten on 29.

This was India's record-extending 18th consecutive Test series victory on home soil.

India’s mindset

Reflecting on the match, Indian captain Rohit Sharma noted how the team had to think strategically to push the game forward, especially with limited time due to rain.

“When we came on day four, we wanted to get them out as early as possible and see what we could do with the bat. It was not about the runs we got but the overs we wanted to bowl at them. The pitch didn't have much for bowlers but to get a game out of that pitch was a great effort from the bowlers. The batters were willing to take the risk and we were ready to give ourselves a chance at a result,” Rohit said.

India's Akash Deep had Bangladesh opener Zakir Hasan caught early in his opening spell on day one of the second Test in Kanpur.AFP

Despite losing valuable time due to rain, India’s aggressive mindset allowed them to secure a whitewash and extend their lead in the World Test Championship standings.

After winning the first Test in Chennai, the second Test in Kanpur faced several challenges, including two entire days lost to bad weather. Nonetheless, India entered day four with a clear intention to press for victory.

Records tumble

India launched a batting blitz to overtake Bangladesh's first innings total of 233 in 28 overs, injecting fresh life into the rain-marred second Test in Kanpur on Monday.

On a frenetic day four, Rohit Sharma's men quickly bowled out Bangladesh for 233, who resumed on the opening day's score of 107-3, and then unleashed batting mayhem at the Green Park Stadium scoring at a rate unprecedented in test cricket.

India's Yashasvi Jaiswal plays a shot during the fourth day of the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur.AFP

India reached 50 runs in three overs, 100 in 10.1 and 200 in 24.2 -- the fastest ever by a test team -- in their bid to force a result in a test which has lost more than two days' play to bad weather.

The hosts eventually declared at 285-9, which was their lowest ever first innings declared total in Test history. It was enough to ensure they maintained pressure on their opponents and eventually pressed for the win.

Pakistan should take a leaf out of India’s book

India's assertive tactics in both batting and bowling have set an example for teams like Pakistan, who have shown potential but often fail to capitalize on advantageous positions. Aggressiveness in cricket is not just about making bold plans but also about executing those plans with precision, which India has done consistently.

Pakistan, in contrast, struggled against Bangladesh in the recent series. In the first Test, Pakistan made a bold declaration at 448/6 after the first day’s play was delayed due to wet outfield conditions. They had Bangladesh reeling at 218/5, but failed to maintain pressure, allowing Bangladesh to recover and post 565. Pakistan's batting collapsed in the second innings, managing only 146 runs, and Bangladesh chased down the modest target of 30 runs easily, winning by 10 wickets.

In the second Test, Pakistan had Bangladesh on the ropes again in the first inning, reducing them to 28-6. Yet, they failed to close out the game as Bangladesh recovered to score 262 runs and eventually clinched the series 2-0. Pakistan's inability to finish off their opponents after getting them in trouble indicates a problem with executing plans.

While Pakistan often comes up with aggressive game plans, they lack the ability to implement those strategies effectively. Whether it’s about taking advantage of favorable situations or pushing for a result despite weather interruptions, Pakistan has frequently fallen short in key moments. India, on the other hand, has shown time and again that they can adapt to conditions and force results, even in challenging circumstances.

For Pakistan to rise to the level of a top Test team, they must follow India’s example. This means not only improving their fitness levels but also developing the mental toughness required to execute aggressive strategies effectively. India’s ability to stay focused, maintain pressure on opponents, and capitalize on opportunities has been a key factor in their success, and Pakistan would do well to adopt a similar mindset.