Despite losing two crucial days to rain and a wet outfield, India secured a commanding seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the second Test in Kanpur. With over 180 overs lost, the odds of a result seemed slim, but Rohit Sharma’s men were determined to push for a win. After restricting Bangladesh to 233 in their first innings and gaining a 52-run lead, India’s bowlers stepped up once again.
They skittled the visitors for just 146 in their second innings, leaving India a target of 95 runs, which they chased down with ease. Following the match, Rohit Sharma emphasized the team’s mentality of never settling for a draw, even under tough conditions.
“When we came on day four, the plan was to bowl them out quickly and see how many runs we could score,” Rohit Sharma shared, reflecting on how his team adjusted their approach after losing so much time. “It wasn’t about how many runs we could score, but rather about maximizing the overs we could bowl at them later. The pitch didn’t offer much for the bowlers, so we needed to accelerate with the bat.”
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The Indian skipper acknowledged the risk of this aggressive approach, especially on a tricky surface, but credited both the bowlers and batters for buying into the game plan.
“To make a game out of that pitch was a super effort from the bowlers. The batters also took on the challenge of scoring quickly, even though it could have backfired and led to a low total,” Rohit Sharma explained, highlighting the team’s willingness to take risks for a win.
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India’s change in mentality has been widely praised by cricket pundits. Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar lauded Rohit’s leadership, noting that this aggressive, result-oriented mindset may well be the legacy Rohit leaves behind. According to Manjrekar, Rohit’s ability to push for victories, even in tough circumstances, has become his biggest contribution to Indian cricket.
