India vs Bangladesh, 2nd Test: Wet blanket at Green Park

Kanpur: The second day of the Kanpur Test between India and Bangladesh concluded on Saturday after the first day's play was shortened. With rain also forecast for the third day on Sunday, the game at Green Park could well end in a draw.

India, who are 1-0 up in the two-match series and top the table in search of a place in next year's World Test Championship final, will be desperate for a home series against New Zealand followed by a tough tour of Australia want to win.

Based on these calculations, Rohit Sharma's team would have expected a 2-0 result against Bangladesh. Three wins from the next eight Tests (three against New Zealand at home, five against Australia away) should be enough, although a win in Kanpur would be a nice cushion.

India's home Test series against New Zealand begins on October 16 in Bengaluru. The other two tests are scheduled in Pune from October 24 and in Mumbai from November 1.

India leads the WTC standings with a percentage score of 71.67 after ten games and is well placed to reach the final for the third time in a row. However, as heavy rain was expected in the second test, a draw would mean that the performances of other competitors could also be taken into account.

Persistent rain kept India and Bangladesh in the dressing room for about an hour on Saturday morning before returning to their hotels. Bangladesh had a record of 107/3 when play ended early on Friday after only 35 overs were possible. The teams and many fans were frustrated.

The last time a full day was lost in a Test in India was against South Africa in Bengaluru in 2015. Incidentally, it was also the last time India opted for a home Test before this game.

Rain overnight and drizzle in the morning did not allow ground crews to remove the covers. And that despite the fact that three superstars were forced into action at Green Park. “If it wasn't drizzling, we could have started in an hour. “The ground is still perfect for playing,” chief curator Shiv Kumar said Saturday.

As well as persistent drizzle, poor visibility continued to be a major concern and conditions did not improve even after referees called off proceedings at 2.15pm. Heavy rain is forecast for Sunday in the industrial city, but Monday and Tuesday are expected to be sunny and warm.

On Friday the start of the game was delayed by an hour. Given the overcast conditions, skipper Rohit Sharma opted to bowl. Although Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj teased the Bangladesh batters in the first overs, they failed to strike. Third seamer Akash Deep did the trick with a two-wicket haul.

Initially, Bangladesh openers Shadman Islam and Zakir Hasan remained alert. Zakir struggled and was dismissed for a 24-ball duck by Akash Deep, who continues to make important breakthroughs as a first-change bowler. Yashasvi Jaiswal grabbed a sharp low catch at gully to dismiss Zakir, followed by Shadman's dismissal leg before after a successful Indian review.

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque steadied the innings with a 51-run stand before Ashwin secured his 420th wicket in Asian conditions by bowling Shanto with a delivery that didn't turn. This scalp took Ashwin to second place for most wickets in Asia, surpassing Anil Kumble (419). Muttiah Muralitharan tops this list with 612 wickets.

Mominul gained confidence after a shaky start and played some good shots while Mushfiqur Rahim settled down at the other end as Bangladesh showed resistance after their 280-run defeat in the first Test in Chennai.