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Bangladesh head into a must-win encounter against India in the second Test at Green Park in Kanpur, scheduled to begin on Friday, September 27. The Najmul Shanto-led side are trailing 0-1 in the series following the mammoth 280-run loss in the series opener in Chennai recently.
Despite the landslide margin of defeat, Bangladesh did have a few positives to take with them, including the fine performance by the pacers, as well as the resilience that a few batters showed in the second innings. However, the visitors need much more than that to shake off a side like India. In fact, they need to play the perfect game to win their first-ever red ball clash against their neighbors.
On that note, let us take a look at three things Bangladesh need to do right to win the second IND vs BAN Test in Kanpur.
#1 Prioritize spin bowling attack considering Shakib's niggle
The bowling attack in the first Test proved to be just a little lopsided as Shakib Al Hasan was not bowling to his full capacity and the conditions augured well for the three-man seam attack in place. However, the same attack will not work in Kanpur, where the conditions are quite different.
While there has been assurance over Shakib's fitness, with the growing belief that it could be his last appearance, Bangladesh could very well use the services of one more spinner. Although they do have the likes of Mominul Haque who can bowl decent part-time spin, swapping one of the quicks for a proficient frontline spinner like Taijul Islam seems the way to go.
#2 Dig hard, grind, and frustrate the Indian bowlers
Shakib had underlined the importance of 'better first inning batting', and that is a crucial aspect for visiting sides if they are to win in India. Bangladesh had come on the back of some brilliant batting as a unit in Pakistan, but folded for just 149 runs in the first innings of the series opener.
With the way red-ball cricket is progressing, more and more teams are embracing a more proactive approach to scoring, keeping the scoreboard ticking. However, at times, it is the good-old grind that brings results like no other, especially in the long run.
#3 Pacers must rely on what's over them rather than beneath them
Although Bangladesh might go in with one seamer short, that does not undermine their importance. The new-look pace attack already showcased what they are capable of doing with the new ball when there is a little cloud cover present.
The likes of Hasan Mahmud and Taskin Ahmed had made both new balls talk in Chennai. Despite talk of a black soil pitch dominating the build up to the match, the weather is being arguably overlooked. Prominent overcast conditions are likely over the course of the contest, which the seamers could capitalize on.
Even if they get the ball to move for a short period of time, it could prove beneficial and help the spinners ease into their work.
