The Green Park Stadium in Kanpur recently played host to two distinctly different Test matches – one in 2021 and another in 2024. Both posed challenges for India, yet the outcomes were poles apart. During Rahul Dravid's tenure as head coach starting November 2021, the Indian team nearly clinched victory against New Zealand before settling for a hard-fought draw.
Historic Win for India
Despite the heroic last-stand batting by New Zealand’s batsmen in the final 10 overs, India was denied victory. Contrarily, in October 2024, under Gautam Gambhir’s debut domestic series as head coach, India seized a thrilling triumph against Bangladesh in a rain-disrupted Test. This victory made Team India the first to win a Test where two full days of play were washed out.
During Dravid's experience as India’s head coach in Kanpur, a close tussle was witnessed in the initial Test. India scored 345 in their first innings and bundled New Zealand out for 296, taking a 49-run lead. However, the team faced a tough situation, losing key wickets, and stood at 51 for five in their second innings.
Shreyas Iyer (65), Wriddhiman Saha (61), and Axar Patel (28) steadied the ship, leading India to 234 for seven before declaring late on the fourth day. Critics questioned the timing of the declaration, arguing that it allowed New Zealand ample time to save the match.
Despite India's relentless efforts at the start of the fifth day, the Black Caps batted throughout and their final pair eked out a memorable draw. Many attributed the missed opportunity to India’s lack of urgency in batting and the belated declaration. When the 2024 Test against Bangladesh seemed headed for a draw due to nearly three days' cancellations from rain, India found themselves back in contention for victory.
On the fourth day, Bangladesh resumed their first innings at 107/3 and was bowled out for 233, rekindling India’s hopes. An astounding aggressive blitz followed; India scored 285 runs in just 34.4 overs at an astonishing rate of 8.22 runs per over, marking it as the quickest team innings (minimum 100 runs) in Test history. Captain Rohit Sharma led India to break records for the fastest scores at all milestones up to 250 in Test cricket. India declared with a 52-run lead and bowled Bangladesh out a second time on the fifth day.
Source: aajtak
Coach Gambhir and Captain Rohit Sharma rejoiced as Rishabh Pant hit the winning runs, securing victory with a session to spare. It took India just six sessions to besiege and overcome a beleaguered Bangladesh side grappling against India's aggressive onslaught. The sparkling start to India’s home Test season has inspired fans, having witnessed the national team’s highs and lows during Rahul Dravid’s coaching era.
Different Body Language of Gambhir
The contrast between the two Tests in Kanpur does not overshadow Rahul Dravid's legacy as a head coach. Gautam Gambhir and Dravid differ significantly in body language, with Gambhir openly sharing his thoughts while Dravid maintained a monk-like composure on the field, each devoting themselves to team interests.
As coach, Dravid seldom exhibited his emotions. He was cautious during press interactions, revealing no more than necessary. Even when contentious issues arose, Dravid kept his cards close to his chest, sparking speculation. In contrast, Gautam Gambhir has been more vocal in his initial press conferences, showcasing a more aggressive intent than Dravid.
During Dravid's tenure, India played 24 Tests, winning 14 and losing 7, including two at home. The team drew only three times, reaching the World Test Championship final in 2023, where they were ultimately defeated by Australia. Despite fluctuations, Dravid ended his coaching chapter memorably, playing a pivotal role in India's T-20 World Cup triumph in America and the West Indies in June.
