On the fourth day of the Kanpur Test, Team India showcased an extraordinary performance that left fans and players in awe. Chasing Bangladesh’s first innings total of 233 runs, India declared their innings at an impressive 285 runs, achieving this feat in just 34.4 overs. Key contributions came from several players, including Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill, who all displayed aggressive batting that resembled a T20 format. However, the spotlight shone brightly on fast bowler Akash Deep, who not only contributed with the ball but also made headlines with his remarkable hitting prowess.
Akash Deep’s Spectacular Display with Virat Kohli’s Bat
In a memorable turn of events, Akash Deep received a special gift from the legendary Virat Kohli himself—a bat that now carries significant sentimental value. When Akash Deep walked out to bat during the Kanpur Test, he wasted no time in making his mark. Remarkably, he struck two consecutive sixes on the first two balls he faced from Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan. This striking feat was met with jubilant reactions from his teammates, particularly Kohli, who was seen animatedly celebrating in the pavilion. The excitement was palpable as Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir replayed the shots multiple times, reflecting their disbelief and admiration for Akash’s fearless approach.
#RohitSharma and #ViratKohli‘s reaction after #AkashDeep hit #ShakibAlHasan for consecutive sixes.#INDvBAN #2ndTest #Kanpur pic.twitter.com/q98yy74Kdw
— Tejan Shrivastava (@BeingTeJan) September 30, 2024
Team India’s Daring Spirit in the Kanpur Test
The Kanpur Test epitomized Team India’s fighting spirit. Despite facing challenges due to rain that interrupted play for three days, the team responded valiantly. After restricting Bangladesh to a modest 233 runs, the Indian batsmen turned their innings into a run-fest, reminiscent of the explosive nature of T20 cricket. Captain Rohit Sharma led the charge with two sixes off his first two deliveries, while Yashasvi Jaiswal continued the momentum with a stunning 72 runs off just 51 balls. Other key contributions included Shubman Gill, who scored 39 runs, Virat Kohli’s quick 47 runs, and KL Rahul’s impressive 68 runs. Notably, the strike rate for all these batsmen exceeded 100, highlighting their aggressive approach.
In this historic innings, Team India achieved several milestones, including the fastest 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 runs ever recorded in Test cricket, showcasing their evolution in the format. Such a performance not only emphasizes the team’s batting depth but also sets a new benchmark for Indian cricket.