The second Test match of the Bangladesh Tour of India 2024, set to be held in Kanpur, will not be moved, even though there have been threats of protests. These protests are linked to violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. A senior official from the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) confirmed this news.
The match, scheduled from September 27 to October 1 at Green Park Stadium, was previously considered for relocation due to concerns raised by the Hindu Mahasabha. They threatened to protest against the Bangladesh cricket team in response to reported violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.
However, the BCCI official assured the media that the match would go ahead as planned in Kanpur. “We are keeping an eye on the situation and are in touch with the concerned authorities regarding the threats. But we have taken all necessary steps to ensure the match happens as scheduled. The stadium is ready, and we are prepared to welcome both teams and fans. The match is staying in Kanpur, but we will continue monitoring the situation at this and other venues,” the official stated.
Ahead of the two-match Test series against India, Bangladesh’s Litton Das shared that his team is working to adjust to the SG ball, which behaves differently compared to the Kookaburra ball they are used to. Bangladesh hopes to build on their recent historic Test win in Pakistan as they prepare for a tough series in India, starting next week in Chennai.
Playing in India will be challenging for Bangladesh, as they face a strong Indian side and a different ball. In India, Test matches are played with the SG ball, while Bangladesh uses the Kookaburra ball for their home matches and their recent Test series against Pakistan.
The SG ball, known for its prominent seam, behaves differently from the Kookaburra, which has a less noticeable seam. Litton Das explained, “The ball in India will be different. It’s harder to play against the SG ball. The Kookaburra gets easier to handle as it ages, but the SG ball is the opposite. It becomes tougher to play with as it gets older.”