“we decided to take the game forward…”: Morne Morkel reveals Gautam Gambhir’s plan against Bangladesh in 2nd Test

New Delhi: Indian cricket invented its own form of cricketing ideology modelled on aggression and perseverance. While England’s bazzball is based on all-out aggression, India’s brand of cricket is more measured. The Indian approach saw openers blasting away the Bangladeshi bowlers while the middle order played a more measured and anchored innings.

With rain washing out more than 2 and a half days in the match, Rohit Sharma’s men scored 285/9 in just 34.4 overs, scoring at a rate of 8.22 in a Test match. Before the end of the day’s play, India managed to declare the innings and also get two Bangladesh batters out, giving themselves a realistic chance of a result in the second Test.

“We decided to take the game forward as fast as possible…”- Morne Morkel

Speaking at the press conference post the end of the day’s play on 4th day, Morkel revealed that the Indian team head coach, Gautam Gambhir and skipper, Rohit Sharma had decided to fast forward the game as soon as possible.

The South African further added-

Even from GG’s (Gautam Gambhir) point of view, we decided to take the game forward as fast as possible, and you need a leader from the front to do that. And Rohit has done it so many times, and again today. To go to the first ball, bang six on a surface where the bounce might be up and down, or you may not be sure how the new ball is going to play. You can also slightly go on the back foot as a bowling unit. So it was great to see the captain, leading from the front, putting in the charge….

India’s quick and attacking cricket paid dividends to the entire team as Team India managed to win the game within 2 days. It will be interesting to see whether this plan works out against the Black Caps.