On Friday, Ravichandran Ashwin made history by becoming the highest wicket-taker for an Indian bowler in Asia. He reached this milestone when he took the wicket of Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto on Day 1 of the second Test in Kanpur. Ashwin now has 420 victims in Asia, one ahead of the former Indian skipper Anil Kumble. He now becomes the second only to Muttiah Muralitharan (612) on the list of bowlers with the most wickets in Asia.
Turning to the dismissal, Shanto could not get his bat on an inside out delivery and was hit on the pads. The umpire gave him out lbw.
But it was mainly Pant who deserves credit for that dismissal as he told Ashwin to bowl fuller.
“Ash bhai halka sa thoda aage daalna padega,” one of the stump microphones recorded Pant.
These instructions from Pant eradicated the 51-run partnership which featured Shanto and Mominul Haque, who was playing at that time in the second session.
31 After the rain and bad light played spoilsport to the day’s play of the second test match between India and Bangladesh at the Green Park Stadium, India, and Bangladesh were already 107 for 3 in 35 overs.
Because the ground was soaked however play could not start on time, and as one after another pounded the seam-friendly conditions at the start of the innings, the home side looked to be in command, until the opposition slowly fought their way back into the contest courtesy of an effective partnership between Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque.
Rohit Sharma’s call to chase first worked immediately as India’s fast bowler Akash Deep who was on fire took two immediate wickets. Akash took two wickets in the very first spell to leave Bangladesh at 33/2.
Zakir Hasan was out without scoring after Akash bowled an excellent delivery that pitched in the gully area then moved out sharply to offer a low catch to Yashasvi Jaiswal. The Bangladesh team lost Shadnam Islam soon after as Akash struck him on the pads lbw whilst an not out call was given at first but a review revealed otherwise.
