IND vs BAN: Rohit Sharma breaks 60-yr trend, elects to bowl first in Kanpur

This is only the second time in Kanpur's Test history that a team has elected to bowl first after winning the toss

In an unexpected move, India captain Rohit Sharma chose to bowl first after winning the toss in the second Test against Bangladesh at Green Park Stadium, Kanpur, on Friday (September 27). This decision defies a long-standing trend, with the last instance of a team opting to field first in Kanpur dating back to 1964.

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That year, India also chose to bowl against England at the same venue, making this only the second time in Kanpur's Test history that a team has elected to bowl first after winning the toss. This is also the first occasion since 2015 that India have chosen to field first in a home Test, the previous instance being under Virat Kohli’s captaincy against South Africa in Bengaluru.

List of Tests played by India in Kanpur -

Test matches played by India in Kanpur
Team 1	Team 2	Winner	Margin	Ground	Match Date
India	New Zealand	drawn	-	Kanpur	Nov 25-29, 2021
India	New Zealand	India	197 runs	Kanpur	Sep 22-26, 2016
India	Sri Lanka	India	inns & 144 runs	Kanpur	Nov 24-27, 2009
India	South Africa	India	8 wickets	Kanpur	Apr 11-13, 2008
India	South Africa	drawn	-	Kanpur	Nov 20-24, 2004
India	New Zealand	India	8 wickets	Kanpur	Oct 22-25, 1999
India	South Africa	India	280 runs	Kanpur	Dec 8-12, 1996
India	Sri Lanka	drawn	-	Kanpur	Dec 17-22, 1986
India	England	drawn	-	Kanpur	Jan 31-Feb 5, 1985
India	West Indies	West Indies	inns & 83 runs	Kanpur	Oct 21-25, 1983
India	England	drawn	-	Kanpur	Jan 30-Feb 4, 1982
India	Pakistan	drawn	-	Kanpur	Dec 25-30, 1979
India	Australia	India	153 runs	Kanpur	Oct 2-7, 1979
India	West Indies	drawn	-	Kanpur	Feb 2-8, 1979
India	New Zealand	drawn	-	Kanpur	Nov 18-23, 1976
India	England	drawn	-	Kanpur	Jan 25-30, 1973
India	Australia	drawn	-	Kanpur	Nov 15-20, 1969
India	England	drawn	-	Kanpur	Feb 15-20, 1964
India	England	drawn	-	Kanpur	Dec 1-6, 1961
India	Pakistan	drawn	-	Kanpur	Dec 16-21, 1960
India	Australia	India	119 runs	Kanpur	Dec 19-24, 1959
India	West Indies	West Indies	203 runs	Kanpur	Dec 12-17, 1958
India	England	England	8 wickets	Kanpur	Jan 12-14, 1952

Last 5 Test matches in Kanpur

India has a strong record at Green Park in recent years. Out of the last five Tests played here, India secured victories in three matches, including a commanding win by an innings and 44 runs against Sri Lanka in 2009, their largest margin of victory at this venue. The remaining two matches ended in draws, reflecting India's dominance at this historic ground.