In a gripping finale to the second Test match between India and Bangladesh at Green Park, Kanpur, left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja made headlines by striking decisively in his first over on Day 5. His early breakthrough against Bangladesh’s captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, set the tone for a challenging session for the visitors, leaving them scrambling to maintain their footing in the match. Shanto’s dismissal not only underscored Jadeja’s prowess but also highlighted the precarious position of the Bangladeshi batting lineup as they sought to stave off defeat.

Ravindra Jadeja’s game-changing wicket

On the second ball of the 28th over during Bangladesh’s second innings, Jadeja bowled a straight delivery that Shanto attempted to reverse sweep. This risky shot proved disastrous as it resulted in him losing his wicket, with the ball crashing into the stumps.

Shanto’s departure for 19 runs off 37 balls, which included two boundaries, was pivotal for India as they aimed to build pressure on the Bangladeshi batters. The wicket not only broke the partnership between Shanto and Shadman Islam but also instilled confidence in the Indian bowlers, who were eager to capitalize on their momentum.

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A rollercoaster of events at Kanpur

The match had seen its fair share of drama leading up to Day 5. After a rain-affected start, Day 1 saw Bangladesh struggle to find their rhythm, finishing at 107/3 before rain interrupted play. Mominul Haque was a standout performer, reaching a century in the first innings with a score of 107 runs. However, India responded aggressively on Day 4, declaring their innings at 285/9 after a blistering batting display that saw them score runs at an unprecedented rate.

India’s batting blitz was characterized by rapid partnerships and aggressive stroke play. They achieved milestones such as reaching 50 runs in just three overs, the fastest in Test history and continued to pile on the runs with remarkable efficiency. Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal set the tone with explosive batting, while Virat Kohli and KL Rahul maintained the momentum with their own quickfire contributions.

As Day 4 concluded, India had reduced Bangladesh to 26/2 at stumps, setting up an electrifying final day where they needed just eight more wickets to secure victory. The Indian bowlers, particularly Ravichandran Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah, were poised to exploit any weaknesses in the Bangladeshi batting order.

India’s bowling attack giving a final push

Entering Day 5 with Bangladesh at a precarious position of 26/2 and trailing by 26 runs, India were determined to push for a win. Jadeja’s early success against Shanto was just what they needed to maintain their aggressive approach. Bangladesh after a bleak fightback weren’t able to recover and lost all the batters for a meagre total of 146. India, now need 95 runs to seal the series 2-0.

As Jadeja continued to weave his magic on the pitch, he demonstrated why he is considered one of India’s key players in Test cricket. His ability to take wickets at crucial moments has often turned matches in India’s favour. With every delivery he bowled, Jadeja not only aimed for wickets but also sought to instil doubt in the minds of Bangladeshi batters.

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