"This is Roball!!! Father of Bazball" - Social media reacts to India's explosive batting on Day 4 of IND vs BAN 2024 2nd Test
Team India entertained viewers with their aggressive batting on Day 4 (Monday, September 30) of their ongoing second and final Test of the series against Bangladesh in Kanpur. The match seemed to be headed towards a tame draw after Day 2 and Day 3 were called off due to rain and a wet outfield.
However, the Men in Blue went out all guns blazing on the fourth day in an attempt to make a match out of it. Bangladesh were bowled out for 233, with Moniuml Haque remaining unbeaten on 107.
The Indian batters played in a T20 mode, playing fearless cricket and scoring runs at a brisk pace Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal stole the show with his 72-run knock, which came at a strike rate of 141.18.
KL Rahul scored a quick-fire half-century, scoring 68 runs at a strike rate of 158.14 while Virat Kohli finished with 47 runs off 35 deliveries. The side broke the record for the fastest team to reach 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 in Test cricket as they declared the innings at 285/9 in 34.4 overs.
Several fans took to social media to react to the Rohit Sharma-led side's blitzkrieg. Here are some of the top reactions:
Lauding India's positive intent, opening batter Mayank Agarwal wrote:
"Loving the intent shown by india to get a result in this game! The eagerness and hunger to win from any situation and taking up the challenge to win this game is incredible and refreshing! This is what a playing for a test championship can do! Full credit to the team for taking this decision and going all out!! Game on!"
Former Team India head coach John Wright also seemed impressed by the team's effort to produce a result in the Kanpur Test, writing:
"India forcing the match is so refreshing. Test cricket needs it."
Former England captain Michael Vaughan compared India's approach to England's Bazball, commenting:
"I see India are playing Bazball..."
It is worth mentioning that India lead the two-match series 1-0, thanks to their 280-run victory in the first Test in Chennai. The result of the Kanpur Test holds great significance as it will impact their chances of making it to the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
Ravichandran Ashwin helps India get off to an impressive start with the ball following their declaration
India declared their innings with a lead of 52. Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin helped India make early inroads in Bangladesh's second innings. The seasoned campaigner drew first blood by dismissing Zakir Hasan in the eighth over. The left-handed batter was out lbw after scoring 10 runs from 15 balls.
Ashwin struck again in the 10th over, getting rid of Hasan Mahmud 4(9), who was sent in as a nightwatchman by the visitors. The spinner bowled a tossed-up delivery. Mahmud took the bait and went for a big hit. However, he failed to get any connection and the ball crashed into the stumps.