India vs Bangladesh Highlights, 2nd Test Day 1: Rain forces early stumps in Kanpur; Bangladesh 107/3

India would want their big guns Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to fire when the mighty hosts aim for a clean sweep against a beleaguered Bangladesh in the second and final Test starting today. The all-round show of Ravichandran Ashwin, Shubman Gill's sublime hundred, Ravindra Jadeja's quality batting and Rishabh Pant's roaring comeback allowed India to script a comfortable victory in Chennai despite being put under pressure by the Bangladesh pacers on day one.

The way India bounced back in the game reaffirmed their supremacy in Test cricket, especially at home where they are on course for a record extending 18th consecutive series win.

Having made a successful return in white-ball cricket, it was time for Pant to show that it is the Test arena where he can make the maximum impact.

It seems he has even added one more dimension to his game: curbing his aggressive instinct if the situation demands, making him even more dangerous.

However, both Rohit and Virat's bats remained silent in the series-opener as Bangladesh pacers -- Hasan Mahmud and Taskin Ahmed -- bowled probing lines on a supportive track and were rewarded.

With a long Test season ahead of them, the two premier batters must be itching to get back among the runs.

Playing his first Test at home since March 2023, Kohli did not look at his sharpest and one can trust him to not go for expansive cover drives at the start of his innings.

Second Test against Bangladesh begins today with the next rung of leaders vying for vacant vice-captain's slot

On Thursday afternoon, Shubman Gill walked up to Rishabh Pant and requested him to throw some balls as he wanted to practice drives off the front foot. Pant, with pads still on after a lengthy batting stint in the nets, obliged.

During the 10-minute drill, they seemed to be discussing batting technique and animatedly exchange ideas.

It's apparent that these boys from Gabba's historic heist are now two very important men in the Indian setup. They are not just about having fun in the field. They took a hard look at the two Green Park surfaces being prepared for the second Test, which starts on Friday.

They also had an intense chat with captain Rohit Sharma.

Amid all this, Yashasvi Jaiswal was seen walking up to Pant. The pair exchanged a fist bump before they broke away. It needs to be noted that the selectors have not named a designated vice-captain for this series.

The surface being prepared for the match has also raised eyebrows. As of noon on the eve of the match, groundstaff were working on two different pitches, and it wasn't yet clear which one would be used. This has led to some uncertainty about how the track will play out, leaving both teams to make last-minute adjustments to their line-ups.

The weather could throw a spanner into the plans. Rain is forecast for the first three days of the match, which could impact not only the pitch's behaviour but also the team selections and the toss decision. Wet conditions could mean less assistance for spinners early on and more for the seamers, deciding to bat or bowl first all the more complex.

One of the primary factors influencing this Test will be the pitch and the weather. Traditionally, Kanpur offers balanced Test pitches. Fast bowlers enjoy some assistance on the first morning with movement and bounce, while the surface flattens out as the match progresses, aiding batsmen. In the latter half of the Test, spinners come into play, particularly on days four and five. This makes it crucial for both teams to get their strategy and combination right.

As India and Bangladesh gear up for the second Test at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur, there's plenty of anticipation, intrigue, and uncertainty surrounding the match. Both teams have everything to play for, with India looking to continue their dominant home run and Bangladesh hoping to put up a stronger fight after their easy capitulation in the first Test in Chennai.