"You said 100% draw" - Aakash Chopra on India's 'historic' win in IND vs BAN 2024 2nd Test
Aakash Chopra has termed India's win in the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur 'historic'. He pointed out that everyone had assumed the game would end as a draw after more than two-and-a-half days were lost due to rain and a wet outfield.
Rohit Sharma and company completed a seven-wicket victory against the Bangla Tigers on Tuesday, October 1, to win the series 2-0. They bundled the visitors out for 233 and 146 in their first and second innings, respectively. The home batters smashed 285 for nine in just 34.4 overs in their first innings before chasing down a 95-run target in their second essay in 17.2 overs.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra reflected on why the India-Bangladesh Test series will be remembered. While observing that India continuing their 12-year winning run at home is the primary reason, he chose the 'historic' victory in the Kanpur Test as the second.
"The second reason for which this series will be remembered is that history has been created. You can say what's the big deal as you were supposed to beat Bangladesh even though they defeated Pakistan. You cannot beat India, no team has been able to do that, how will you?" Chopra said (2:20).
"Firstly, the playing style changed. We played on pitches where teams were bowling first after winning the toss and three fast bowlers were playing. It means you tried to challenge yourselves. If we talk about Kanpur, 35 overs on the first day, and no play on the second and third days. You said 100% draw," the former India opener added.
Chopra pointed out that India created numerous records while registering a 'milestone' win.
"You won the match when 40 overs were still left. One-and-a-half sessions' play was left. Two-and-a-half days' play was lost. If you win despite that, it's historic because you made one record after another. When you win when there is no expectation of a win, it's a milestone," he observed.
India scored the fastest team 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 in Test history in their first innings. While Yashasvi Jaiswal (72 off 51) and Rohit Sharma (23 off 11) gave them a blazing start, Shubman Gill (39 off 36), Virat Kohli (47 off 35) and KL Rahul (68 off 43) ensured that the momentum was maintained.
"This match and series will decide Rohit Sharma's legacy as a Test captain" - Aakash Chopra
![Rohit Sharma smashed the first two deliveries he faced in India's first innings for sixes. [P/C: BCCI]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/10/e762a-17278500513044-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra opined that the Kanpur win will define Rohit Sharma's legacy as a Test captain.
"This match and series will decide Rohit Sharma's legacy as a Test captain because you couldn't have won this series 2-0 without a change in the mindset and the captain's confidence. You would have won the series but to win 2-0, you had to win in Kanpur and to breach the Kanpur fortress, Rohit Sharma's mindset was wow," he reasoned (3:20).
Ravichandran Ashwin disclosed at the post-match presentation that Rohit had asked them to adopt an ultra-aggressive batting approach in the first innings. He added that the Indian captain was fine even if India were bundled out below Bangladesh's first-innings total.