"Rohit's message was so clear that it didn't matter if we got out" - KL Rahul on Team India's batting onslaught on Day 4 of IND vs BAN 2nd Test 2024
KL Rahul shared that skipper Rohit Sharma was clear that the Indian batters would play aggressively and go for the win even if they got out cheaply on Day 4 of the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur. India set the record for the fastest 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 in Test history with a breathtaking batting display to try and force a result in the rain-marred Test.
Bangladesh were 107/3 in their first innings at the start of Day 4 and a draw was seemingly inevitable. Yet, the hosts bundled them out for 233 before scoring 285/9 declared in only 34.4 overs at a run rate of over eight to capture a 52-run lead and inject life into the contest.
Talking to Sports18 ahead of Day 5, Rahul was quoted as saying by India Today:
"The message was very clear from the start. We lost a couple of days due to rain. Most of the game was lost to weather, but we wanted to see what we could do in the time that was left. The plan was simple: find a way to play for the win," said Rahul. "We lost a couple of wickets, but since Rohit's message was so clear that it didn't matter if we got out, we tried to do that."
Rahul was at the center of India's brutal batting display, scoring a brilliant 68 off 43 deliveries.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh finished Day 4 on 26/2 in their second innings, trailing by 26 runs to avoid an innings defeat.
Team India looks to pull off 5th consecutive home Test win on Day 5
India will look to win their fifth consecutive home Test on Day 5 of the second Bangladesh Test at Kanpur.
Rohit Sharma's team began their pursuit by striking immediately on the final day, thanks to Ravichandran Ashwin removing first-innings centurion Mominul Haque. in the third over of the morning.
Bangladesh then erased the deficit to ensure India had to bat again and are currently at 57/3 after 20 overs with a five-run lead. Opener Shadman Islam is well-set on 28 and is joined by skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto on 7.
The hosts won the opening game of the two-Test series by a massive 280 runs in Chennai.