Relentless rain and a drenched outfield disrupted the second day of the India vs Bangladesh Test in Kanpur, forcing the match officials to abandon play without a single ball being bowled. The weather gods refused to cooperate as the covers remained firmly in place throughout the day, compelling the players to retreat to their hotels long before the final decision was made to call off play.
Back at the team hotel, the Indian players made the most of their unexpected break by engaging in some light-hearted footvolley. Former wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik captured the fun moment and shared it on his Instagram stories.
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In the video, India’s batting coach Abhishek Nayar, along with wicketkeeper-batters Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel, were seen enjoying a spirited game, showcasing the camaraderie within the squad. The morning drizzle eventually turned into heavy rain, putting a dampener on any hopes of play resuming.
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Although the groundsmen tried their best, using three super soppers to dry the field around 11:15 am, the persistent rain and poor visibility dashed any chance of action. The match officials officially called off play at 2:15 pm, with the forecast suggesting more rain on Sunday but clearer skies on Monday and Tuesday. As it stands, the match is inching towards a likely draw.
Bangladesh had managed to score 107 for three on a rain-shortened first day, with only 35 overs being bowled. India’s bowlers had done well, with Akash Deep removing both Bangladeshi openers and Ravichandran Ashwin dismissing skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto.
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India currently tops the World Test Championship (WTC) standings with a PCT of 71.67, putting them in prime position to make their third consecutive final. A 2-0 series win against Bangladesh would have set them up perfectly, needing just three more wins from their remaining eight matches to secure a spot in the final. However, with rain playing spoilsport, a draw could complicate their path, potentially requiring them to win five of their remaining eight Tests to ensure a place in the WTC final.
