The Indian opening duo of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma etched their names in history as India achieved the fastest team 100 in Test cricket. They achieved this in the second Test against Bangladesh at Kanpur.
A target of 233 runs was to be faced on the back of Bangladesh’s first innings, but Rohit and Jaiswal launched a full-scale attack from the word go. As early as the first over, Jaiswal hit Hasan Mahmud for three fours and collected 12 runs. It was an attacking approach and the signature tune for the innings.
The next over, Rohit took over, slamming two sixes off Khaled Ahmed. Jaiswal joined in, hitting a four off the last ball of the over to make India’s total from that over 17 runs. Into the third over, the Indian duo continued with their aggression as Rohit struck a six, while Jaiswal added two fours and another six. The two are already past the 50-run mark in just three overs, the fastest start ever in Test cricket.
The latter’s sizzling partnership of 55, though, was wrapped up in just 3.5 overs with Rohit’s dismissal at the hands of Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Rohit hacked out an explosive 23 runs off 11 balls, comprising three sixes and a four. The required rate then was an astonishing 14.34 runs an over. It went past the previous fastest rate achieved by England’s Ben Stokes and Ben Duckett this year, which stood at 11.86 runs per over.
Even after the dismissal of Rohit, Jaiswal continued his attack. The next one in, Shubman Gill played quite a defensive role, giving Jaiswal a license to continue to pressurize the bowlers. Thus, India crossed the hundred-run mark just in 10.1 overs. Less than the previous fastest record of 12.2 overs against West Indies last year.
India, who won the toss, decided to bowl first. Bangladesh never got any momentum on day one and managed to reach only 107/3. The second day was a complete washout due to rain. While on day three, a wet outfield claimed the game’s proceedings. The action was finally resumed on day four.
Courtesy of an unbeaten fighting century from Mominul Haque, Bangladesh only managed to reach a total of 233 all out. His knock was crucial in stabilizing the innings against Indian spinners like Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Mominul added an important 54-run partnership with Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who chipped in with 20 runs.
Among them, the most prolific for India was Jasprit Bumrah, who claimed 3/50. Mohammed Siraj and Ravichandran Ashwin picked two each, while Akash Deep chipped in with one.
India entered this match, leading the two-match series 1-0. Strong batting and bowling have pegged this team ahead in the series.
But, in a nutshell, the blast between Jaiswal and Rohit set a new record. Underlining India’s intent to grab control of the match. More importantly, India, battle-scarred, would continue to push forward into the remaining matches.
The current playing XI includes Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj for India. Whereas for Bangladesh, the playing XI are Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed.
Building upon this historic performance, the eyes of everyone will be on India as the series progresses.
ANI