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IMAGES from Day 1 of the 2nd Test played between India and Bangladesh in Kanpur, on Friday.
Pacer Akash Deep was impressive in a probing opening spell while Ravichandran Ashwin removed the dangerous Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto before rain halted India's progress in the second Test on the opening day, in Kanpur Friday.
Given the forecast, it was expected to be a weather-hit contest from the beginning.
Only 35 overs could be bowled after Rohit Sharma invited Bangladesh to bat in overcast conditions as visitors struggled to 107 for three after a brief resistance through Shanto (31).
Mominul Haque (40 batting) and veteran Mushfiqur Rahim (6) were at the crease when heavens opened up.
After lunch, Ashwin, who did not get a wicket in the opening session, trapped Shanto in the third over of the second session.
Shanto played for the turn but was beaten. The umpire had no hesitation in raising his finger. The Bangladesh skipper reviewed the decision hoping against hope.
Seasoned Mominul grew in confidence as he spent more time at the crease. He hit two boundaries off Akash in a single over and later hit an exquisite drive through mid-off.
He raised Bangladesh's hundred with another four.
Only nine overs were bowled in the second session when bad light stopped play even as the flood lights were on, forcing the players off the field. Light drizzle followed and soon it was pouring.
Earlier, pacer Akash Deep struck twice in overcast conditions to dismiss both openers but Bangladesh fought back through skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and reached 74 for two at lunch on the opening day of the second Test in Kanpur, on Friday.
The match had a delayed start due to wet outfield and looking to exploit the pace-friendly conditions, skipper Rohit Sharma opted to bowl, keeping all three pacers in the playing XI.
Deep (2/14) was impressive with his consistent length balls that bounced and moved away, not giving the batters much of a choice but to adopt a safe approach.
Shanto (28 batting, 4s-6) though batted with positive intent, if not combative, to ensure Bangladesh don't lose way. He had Mominul Haque (17 off 48) for the company at the break.
As expected, the initial bounce and seam movement had openers Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam playing circumspectly. Islam (24) worked the ball around but an overcautious stumper-batter Hasan (0) kept playing dot-after-dot.
Jasprit Bumrah had the openers straight-jacketed as the away-moving balls kept landing in Rishabh Pant's gloves.
Mohammed Siraj induced edges that flew to the slip cordon but none carried to the fielders' hands.
Islam hit two boundaries off Bumrah in a single over, the first was a flick off the pads, and the second was an uppish drive.
Hasan had played 23 dot balls and was yet to open his account.
Deep, who came in as a second change, ended his misery by inducing an edge that flew to Yashasvi Jaiswal who went low on his right to grab the chance.
Deep soon sent back Islam on a ball that came in and caught him in front of the wicket. The opener reviewed the decision but to no avail.
Shanto, who has been in good rhythm, began with two shots to the fence in a sort of statement that he won't get intimidated by the classy Indian bowlers.
He also got a boundary off Siraj but those were not the cleanest of hits. His reverse sweep off off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin though stood out.
The moment lunch was taken, a light drizzle forced the covers back on field.