After 60 Years; Why India Decided To Field First At Kanpur In 2nd Test Vs BAN?

Rohit Sharma during the toss in the second Test vs Bangladesh [@OneCricketApp/X]Rohit Sharma during the toss in the second Test vs Bangladesh [@OneCricketApp/X]

India are taking on Bangladesh in the second and final Test of the two match series at the Greenpark Stadium in Kanpur. Rohit Sharma, the captain of the Indian team, won the toss and elected to field first. 

The decision by Rohit Sharma turned out to be an interesting and historical event because - 

  • This is the first time that a team has decided to field first at Kanpur after winning the toss after 1964. 
  • This also the first instance of a team winning the toss and electing to field first in two consecutive men's Tests in India. 
  • Another interesting fact that is the India opted to field first in a home Test after 2015 against South Africa. 

Why India decided to field first at Kanpur in the IND vs BAN, 2nd Test?

  • Weather conditions - It has been raining in Kanpur for the past two days. The conditions on the first day before the start of the game were overcast. This was the main reason that India decided to field first in the game. 
  • Pitch Report - The pitch looked to have a bit more grass that usual. Although it is more of a dry grass cover, it is expected to assist the seamers when the pitch is fresh at the beginning of the day. Keeping an eye on the weather conditions and the outlook of the pitch India might have decided to field first in the game. 
  • Team combination - Rohit Sharma was seen examining the pitch closely before the start of the game. There were speculations of India going in with three spinners for this game given the history at the venue. However, India stuck to their three pacers and two spinners combination from the first match. The ideal behind India's decision might have been to make the most of the conditions with there three seamers. 

What happened when the last time India fielded first in a home Test after winning the toss?

The last time India opted to field first after winning the toss was against South Africa at Bengaluru in 2015. Virat Kohli was the captain of the team at that time. That match ended in a draw as rain played spoilsport throughout the progression of the game.