India squeeze win from rain-hit Bangladesh test

MONEY SHARMA/ AFP

India produced their own version of 'Bazball' to squeeze out a remarkable seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh from a seemingly dead test match en route to a 2-0 series sweep on Tuesday.

India's record-extending 18th consecutive test series victory on home soil was never in doubt after their 280-run romp in the series opener in Chennai.

But after two and half days were lost to bad weather in Kanpur, a draw seemed the likely outcome as only 35 overs were played in the first three days with Bangladesh stuck on 107-3.

Once the visitors folded for 233 in their first innings on Monday, India unleashed the kind of batting blitz unseen in test cricket.

England's ultra-aggressive batting under coach Brendon 'Baz' McCullum has rejuvenated test cricket and India conjured up something similar with their take-no-prisoners batting at the Green Park Stadium.

Skipper Rohit Sharma set the tone by hitting the first two balls he faced for sixes and India eclipsed Bangladesh's total in just 28 overs reaching the 50, 100 and 200 marks in record speed.

It was batting T20 style before India eventually declared on 285-9 giving themselves enough time to remove both the rival openers by stumps on day four.

They returned on Tuesday to claim the remaining eight Bangladesh wickets in an extended morning session to bundle out the tourists for 146.

Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed his second fifty of the test, which earned him the player of the match award, as India chased down the 95-run victory target with a session to spare.

Ravichandran Ashwin, who smashed a hundred in the opening test and claimed 11 wickets in two matches, was player of the series.

India, who consolidated their lead in the World Test Championship standings with the victory, will play a three-test home series against New Zealand beginning on October 16.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, were brought down to earth after their memorable 2-0 series win in Pakistan last month.

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