Rohit Sharma on India's record-setting aggressive batting in Kanpur: 'It wasn't about runs but overs we got at them'

Rohit Sharma said India were always willing to take the risk after over two days of play in the second Test against Bangladesh at Kanpur was lost due to rain and a wet outfield. Only 35 overs were bowled on Day 1 while no play was possible on Day 2 and Day 3. On Day 4 after Bangladesh were bowled out for 233 in the first innings, India made the Test record for fastest team 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 as they took a 52-run lead on the same day.

Eventually, Bangladesh was bowled out on 146 in the second innings on Day 5 and India completed the chase in a jiffy to clinch a seven-wicket win . India also won the two-match series 2-0 having already won the first Test at Chennai by 280 runs.

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India were willing to take risk

Talking about India’s aggressive approach in the batting, captain Rohit said the aim was to have enough overs to bowl out Bangladesh for the second time in the match.

“Once we lost two and a half days, when we came on day 4 we wanted to get them out as quickly as possible and see what we can do with the bat. When they got bowled out for 230, it wasn’t about the runs we got but the overs we got at them,” he said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

Captain @ImRo45 collects the @IDFCFIRSTBank Trophy from BCCI Vice President Mr. @ShuklaRajiv 👏👏#TeamIndia complete a 2⃣-0⃣ series victory in Kanpur 🙌

Scorecard - https://t.co/JBVX2gyyPf#INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/Wrv3iNfVDz

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 1, 2024

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“Pitch didn’t have much. To make a game out of it on that pitch was a superb effort. It was a risk we were willing to take because when you’re trying to bat like that, you can be bundled out for a low score. But we were ready for it even if we got bowled out for 100-150.”

Talking about the winning start to the Test era under new head coach Gautam Gambhir, Rohit said: “We all keep going. Obviously, at some stage, we had to start working with different personnel. When Rahul (Dravid) bhai said he was done working here. We had a fantastic time but life moves on. Gautam Gambhir, I’ve played with him and know what sort of mindset he comes in with. Early days but it’s been a good start.”

The Indian captain also praised pacer Akash Deep who despite being the third fast bowler in the team has emerged as a wicket-taking option in only his third Test.

“He’s been good (talking about Akash Deep). Lot of domestic cricket he has played,” Rohit said. “When you come up through the ranks like that, there are a lot of overs in the legs. He has the quality and the skill. Good body as well - can bowl long spells. You have to make sure you prepare your bench strength.”

‘We didn’t bat well’

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto laid the blame on his batters for the 2-0 series loss and asked his teammates to follow the template that Momimul Haque set with his gritty hundred at Kanpur.

“Both the Tests we didn’t bat well. In these conditions we need to bat well. If you look at our batters - we played 30-40 balls and got out. It’s important in a Test match, when batsmen get in, you should look to score big runs. The way Ashwin and Jaddu batted at that time - they batted really well. As a bowling unit we need to look at those moments - how we can get those wickets,” Shanto said.

“That partnership cost us that game. The way Mominul batted this innings will help going forward. And the was Miraz bowled in both innings - he bowled really well.”