3 things to look forward to in the 2nd India vs Bangladesh Test ft. Virat Kohli's form
The second Test between India and Bangladesh will commence at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur on Friday, September 27. The series is currently in favor of the hosts, who clinched the opening game by a whopping 280-run margin.
Several storylines have emerged over the course of the Test series. While a Bangladesh legend seems to be on his last legs in international cricket, a couple of Indian players will be watched closely for contrasting reasons.
India’s squad for the 2nd Test of the Bangladesh series: Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Yash Dayal.
On that note, here are three things to watch out for in the second Test between India and Bangladesh.
#3 Virat Kohli needs to show some conviction
Virat Kohli had a decent 2023 in which he hit two hundreds and two fifties in 12 innings, but he hasn't been his fluent best over the last few calendar years. This year has seen him average around 20 in four knocks, and signs indicate that the superstar batter isn't in full flow.
In the first Test against Bangladesh, Kohli fell victim to a couple of soft dismissals. A characteristic loose waft outside off-stump brought about his downfall in the first innings, while a flick across the line was completely missed in the second.
That said, though, Kohli is a world-class Test player and is still one of the best batters in the world. He can always be backed to produce the goods when he seems to be up against it, like he does now. His form will need to be watched closely in the second Test, with important series against New Zealand and Australia coming up.
#2 Can Shakib Al Hasan rage against the dying light?
Shakib Al Hasan threw a few bombshells in the pre-match press conference as he announced that he won't play another T20I for Bangladesh. He also suggested that he will be done with the red-ball format in the coming months, meaning that we might be seeing the last leg of one of the country's greatest all-rounders.
Shakib has been off colour lately with both bat and ball. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto has thrown his weight behind the veteran, but the ball is now completely in the left-arm spinner's court as he attempts to come up with a meaningful performance in the second Test against India.
With an injury cloud hanging over him, Shakib needs to somehow find a way to contribute in both departments and ensure that the series doesn't end with Bangladesh going out with a whimper.
#1 A major milestone beckons for Ravindra Jadeja
![Ravindra Jadeja is on the cusp of history [Image: BCCI on X]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/09/758fc-17273562889233-1920.jpg)
Only six bowlers have taken 300 Test wickets for India, and Ravindra Jadeja has the chance to become the seventh when he takes to the field in Kanpur. He is also closing in on becoming the second-fastest to reach the double of 3,000 runs and 300 wickets in the format.
Jadeja has been a world-class performer in both departments for several years now, and the record would be a fair vindication of his efforts. The all-rounder deserves his time in the limelight for having excelled across conditions and roles for the Indian team.