India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir, wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, and star batter Virat Kohli arrived at the team hotel in Kanpur in preparation for the upcoming second Test against Bangladesh, set to begin on Friday at Green Park. On Tuesday, the trio was seen outside the hotel, signaling a united front as they gear up for the match.
Gambhir’s tenure as head coach got off to a successful start. In his inaugural Test match in charge, India achieved a remarkable 280-run victory against Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Pant made a stunning return to Test cricket, scoring a magnificent 109 runs in the second innings. His blend of aggressive and defensive strokes kept the Bangladeshi bowlers on their toes, evoking nostalgia among Indian fans who celebrated his impactful performance.
Ravichandran Ashwin also had a noteworthy outing, claiming his 37th five-wicket haul in Test cricket during the second innings, which tied him with the legendary Shane Warne for the second-most five-wicket hauls in Test history. Muttiah Muralitharan holds the record with 67 hauls. Ashwin’s contributions were pivotal, as he also played a key role with the bat, scoring 113 runs off 133 balls in the first innings.
In his return to the format, Pant had a promising start, making 39 runs off 52 balls in the first innings before being dismissed by the in-form Hasan Mahmud. However, Kohli struggled during the match, managing only 6 and 17 runs in his two innings. He was dismissed by Mahmud in the first innings and later fell to spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the second.
Ashwin’s all-round performance earned him the ‘Player of the Match’ title in the first Test against Bangladesh, underscoring his critical role in India’s dominant victory. His six-wicket haul in the second innings solidified India’s lead and helped clinch the match on the fourth day.
As the team prepares for the next Test, the focus will be on improving individual performances, particularly for Kohli, while building on the momentum established under Gambhir’s coaching. With the excitement building ahead of the Test at Green Park, fans are eager to see how the team will perform as they look to continue their success against Bangladesh.
