Cricket

Monkey Menace at Kanpur Test: UPCA Deploys Langurs for ProtectionThe Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) has taken unprecedented measures to combat the persistent monkey menace at the Green Park stadium in Kanpur, where the second Test between India and Bangladesh is scheduled to take place. Monkeys have been known to snatch food and other items from spectators, causing inconvenience and disruption.To address this issue, the stadium authorities have hired Langurs, a species of long-tailed leaf monkeys, along with their handlers. These Langurs will patrol the stadium, deterring monkeys from approaching spectators and stealing their belongings. "To avoid the terror of monkeys, we have langurs to take care of them," said Venue Director Sanjay Kapoor.The presence of Langurs is seen as an additional layer of protection, complementing the security guards already deployed at the venue. Broadcast camera persons, who are often targeted by monkeys due to their food and drinks, are expected to benefit significantly from this initiative.In addition to the monkey menace, other issues have also been reported at the stadium ahead of the match. The C block of the stadium has been deemed unsafe for spectators and has been closed. "PWD and Harcourt Butler Technical University conducted an inspection and found that some seats in C block cannot be used as they are not safe," Kapoor explained.To prevent monkeys from spotting and stealing food, the stand behind the boundary rope where broadcasters keep their equipment has been covered with a black cloth. This measure aims to minimize the risk of monkeys snatching eatables from the broadcast crew.The UPCA's proactive approach to addressing these challenges demonstrates their commitment to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for spectators and participants alike. The deployment of Langurs is a unique and innovative solution that is expected to effectively curb the monkey menace and ensure a smooth and successful Test match.

India Opts to Bowl First in Kanpur Test Against BangladeshIndia captain Rohit Sharma elected to bowl first after winning the toss in the first Test against Bangladesh at Green Park in Kanpur. The decision marked a departure from India's recent home Test strategy, as they had not chosen to bowl first since 2015.The toss was delayed by an hour due to a wet outfield caused by overnight rain. Rohit explained that the pitch had a slight softness and more grass than usual, which influenced his decision to bowl. He anticipated that India's three seamers, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep, would exploit the conditions.Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed a preference for batting first, despite the overcast conditions. Their team opted for a spin-heavy attack, including Taijul Islam and Khaled Ahmed, who replaced Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana.The contrasting approaches highlighted the different interpretations of the pitch conditions. India believed the seamers would have an advantage, while Bangladesh favored their spinners.Team Lineups:India:* Rohit Sharma (c)* Yashasvi Jaiswal* Shubman Gill* Virat Kohli* Rishabh Pant (wk)* KL Rahul* Ravindra Jadeja* R Ashwin* Akash Deep* Jasprit Bumrah* Mohammed SirajBangladesh:* Shadman Islam* Zakir Hasan* Najmul Hossain Shanto (c)* Mominul Haque* Mushfiqur Rahim* Shakib Al Hasan* Litton Das (wk)* Mehidy Hasan Miraz* Taijul Islam* Hasan Mahmud* Khaled Ahmed

The second Test between India and Bangladesh is shrouded in uncertainty as both teams remain unaware of the pitch conditions. India's batting coach, Abhishek Nayar, expressed his ignorance about the surface, while Bangladesh's head coach, Chandika Hathurusinghe, revealed that two pitches have been prepared, but the final decision will be made on the morning of the match.During India's training session, captain Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir inspected both pitches. The drier black-soil surface seemed to garner more attention. Initial indications suggest a batting-friendly start, transitioning to slow and low turn from the third day onwards.However, the weather forecast poses a challenge. Overcast conditions and thunderstorms are predicted for the first three days, potentially hindering the natural wear and tear that typically aids spin-friendly pitches. Rain interrupted India's training session, prompting the groundstaff to cover the square.As a result, India will finalize their XI on the morning of the Test, considering the possibility of an extra spinner instead of the extra seamer used in Chennai. Both pitches appear promising, but the conditions will ultimately determine the pitch's behavior.India leads the series 1-0 and may opt for a spinner over a seamer. Kuldeep Yadav, who impressed against England earlier this year, and Axar Patel, known for his relentless stump-to-stump attack, are potential candidates. Axar played alongside R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in India's last Test in Kanpur against New Zealand in 2021, which ended in a draw.

Shakib Al Hasan's participation in the second Test between India and Bangladesh has been the subject of speculation, but head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe has confirmed that the all-rounder is "eligible for selection."Shakib's performance in the first Test in Chennai was below par, with the left-arm spinner bowling only 21 overs and conceding 129 runs without taking a wicket. He also scored 32 and 25 in Bangladesh's 280-run defeat.However, Hathurusinghe has dismissed any concerns about Shakib's fitness, stating that he has not received any official complaints or reports of an injury. "I haven't heard anything officially or any complaints (about Shakib)," he said. "There is no doubt about that at the moment. I haven't heard from my physio or from anyone. He's still eligible for selection."Bangladesh are in need of a better batting performance in the second Test, particularly in the first innings. Conditions in Kanpur may help, with the pitch expected to be less lively than the one in Chennai.Hathurusinghe said the players had talked about their shortcomings and it was about "whether we're able to do that in the middle. We have our KPIs, what we want, and we normally talk about if you make a start, make it big. That's the biggest concern, because some of the guys got 30 balls (and then got out). In cricket, it's the hardest thing to get in. But then, this team, India, has been posing different challenges, so we know that as well. So we have to be better for longer."Bangladesh had their left-hand heavy top-order picked apart by India's quicks in Chennai. They have the option of bringing in the right-hander Mahmudul Hasan Joy but that decision will not be a knee-jerk one."Just because of the left-handers, right-handers, is not the thing that we will take into consideration. If we are making a change, whether that batsman, whether Mahmudul Joy or whoever is coming in, what he can bring and who will miss out, and we look at it holistically like that, rather than left or right."

The upcoming second Test between India and Bangladesh at Green Park in Kanpur is expected to present a contrasting pitch to the one witnessed in the first Test in Chennai. The Kanpur pitch is likely to be flatter, with lower bounce and a slower surface due to its black-soil content.Unlike the true bounce that characterized the Chepauk pitch, the Green Park pitch will offer less bounce and carry. This is because the pitch is made of black soil, which is known to slow down the ball and reduce bounce. The surface is also expected to become increasingly slower as the Test progresses.This change in pitch conditions will likely impact team selection. India may consider replacing one of their three seamers with a third spinner, such as Kuldeep Yadav or Axar Patel. Bangladesh, on the other hand, may bring in left-arm spinner Taijul Islam in place of Nahid Rana if Shakib Al Hasan is ruled out due to injury.The slower nature of the pitch will make it more challenging for bowlers to extract wickets. However, batters could benefit from the lack of bounce and spin, potentially leading to higher scores. In the 2021 Test at Green Park, Shreyas Iyer scored a century and a fifty on debut, while Tom Latham showcased his defensive skills against Indian spinners.The last Test played at Green Park, against New Zealand in 2021, lasted five days. India played three spinners in that match, and New Zealand batters showed resilience to draw the game. The upcoming Test is also likely to be a battle of attrition, with both teams looking to capitalize on the conditions.

Bangladesh's dream run in Test cricket came to an abrupt end as they suffered a crushing 280-run defeat against India in the first Test at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The Najmul Hossain Shanto-led side, which had recently swept Pakistan 2-0, was outplayed in all departments by a dominant Indian team.India's bowlers wreaked havoc on the Bangladesh batting lineup, with Jasprit Bumrah claiming five wickets, Ravichandran Ashwin taking six, Ravindra Jadeja picking up five, Mohammed Siraj grabbing two, and Akash Deep chipping in with two. The hosts' spinners, Ashwin and Jadeja, exploited the turning pitch to their advantage, while the pacers provided excellent support.Former Pakistan player Basit Ali praised the pitch curators for preparing a surface that offered a fair contest between bat and ball. He criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for its poor track record in preparing Test match pitches."The bowlers ticked all the boxes. India played two spinners, keeping in mind that the ball will spin and it happened. So the credit goes to the pitch curators, who know how to make a Test match surface," Ali said on his YouTube channel."In our nation, they say there is no value of pitch. They are illiterate people. The one who have played cricket with pride are there on the Board (PCB). This is what I get angry. What are you teaching to kids?" he added.Ali emphasized the importance of understanding the pitch conditions, highlighting the examples of legendary batsmen Sunil Gavaskar and Javed Miandad."50 per cent of the issue is solved if you read the pitch well, ask Sunil Gavaskar and Javed Miandad. But they don't understand," he said.The second and final Test between India and Bangladesh will commence on September 27.

India vs Bangladesh Test: Rain Threatens to Delay India's Victory PushThe first India vs Bangladesh Test in Chennai has been marred by bad light and the threat of rain, forcing an early end to Day 3 and casting doubt over India's chances of securing a victory.As India tightened their grip on the match, a cloud cover descended over the Chepauk Test in the final session, prompting the umpires to call off play with 10 overs remaining. The weather forecast for Sunday is equally concerning, with showers predicted that could further delay India's bid for a 1-0 series lead.Overnight rain and thunderstorms are expected in Chennai, with cloudy weather persisting throughout the fourth day. The Weather Channel predicts rain after midnight, potentially carrying on until 5 am. This could lead to a delayed start or even a stop-start game, depending on the condition of the field.At the close of play on Day 3, Bangladesh were 158 for 4, still requiring 357 runs to chase down India's mammoth total of 515. Ravichandran Ashwin was the star performer for India, claiming three wickets, while Jasprit Bumrah took one. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan were unbeaten on 51 and 5, respectively, when play was halted.If the rain does not interfere, India will be looking to wrap up the match quickly. The overcast conditions are expected to favor fast bowling, which could give India an advantage. However, the threat of rain remains a major concern and could potentially spoil India's victory push.

Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant's Lighthearted Sunglasses Swap Steals the Show in India vs. Bangladesh TestIn a moment of camaraderie and lightheartedness, Indian cricket stars Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant engaged in a memorable sunglasses exchange during the third day of the first Test between India and Bangladesh in Chennai.As the second innings of Bangladesh's batting unfolded, Kohli removed his sunglasses and handed them directly to Pant. Without hesitation, Pant removed his own pair and donned Kohli's. In a reciprocal gesture, Pant then offered his sunglasses to Kohli, who accepted and put them on.The exchange, captured by cameras, highlighted the strong bond between the two teammates. It also provided a brief moment of levity amidst the intense competition on the field.Meanwhile, the match itself saw Bangladesh facing an uphill battle at stumps on the third day. Chasing an imposing target of 515, they had lost four wickets for 158 runs. India had earlier declared their second innings at 287/4, thanks to centuries from Pant (109) and Shubman Gill (119).Bangladesh's hopes of a comeback were further dented by the impressive bowling of Ravichandran Ashwin, who claimed three wickets for 63 runs. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto remained unbeaten on 51 at the close of play, providing a glimmer of hope for the visitors.

Veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has etched his name in Bangladesh cricket history by becoming the oldest player from his nation to feature in a Test match. At 37 years and 181 days, Shakib took the field on Day 3 of Bangladesh's first Test against India in Chennai, surpassing the previous record held by left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique, who was 37 years and 180 days when he last played a Test in 2008.Shakib, a central figure in Bangladesh cricket for more than a decade, continues to add to his illustrious career with this latest milestone. Widely regarded as one of the game's premier all-rounders, his longevity and contribution to the team have been instrumental.While Shakib's achievement is significant, the world record for the oldest Test cricketer remains with England's Wilfred Rhodes, who played his final Test at 52 years and 165 days in 1930. Rhodes' record, as well as his remarkable 30-year Test career, stands as one of cricket's longest-lasting feats.On the field, however, Bangladesh found themselves in a tough position against a dominant Indian side. Shubman Gill led the charge on Day 3 with his seventh Test fifty, and Rishabh Pant was inching toward his 12th fifty as India surged to 141 for 3 after 40 overs, extending their lead to over 350 runs.Earlier on Day 2, India pacer Jasprit Bumrah wreaked havoc on Bangladesh's batting lineup, claiming 4 for 50 as the visitors were bundled out for a mere 149 in their first innings. Despite efforts from experienced players like Shakib (32) and wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das (22), Bangladesh struggled to mount a meaningful response to India's solid first-innings total.Shakib's inclusion in the Test team is a testament to his enduring quality and the value he brings to the side. His experience, skill, and leadership will be crucial as Bangladesh looks to navigate the challenges of the series against India.