Lower bounce expected at Kanpur's Green Park for India, Bangladesh Test

The upcoming second Test between India and Bangladesh at Green Park in Kanpur, starting on September 27, is expected to feature a pitch that offers lower bounce and a slower surface. Unlike the first Test in Chennai, where the pitch provided good bounce and helped both seamers and spinners, the Kanpur pitch is expected to be flatter, which could influence team selections.

The pitch at Green Park will have a higher black-soil content, leading to a decrease in bounce as the match progresses. This contrasts with the red-soil pitch in Chennai, where bowlers enjoyed true bounce over four days. The Indian bowlers, particularly R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, took advantage of the bounce in Chennai, taking nine wickets between them in Bangladesh's second innings.

With the Kanpur pitch being less supportive of fast bowlers, India might opt to play an additional spinner instead of a third seamer. Kuldeep Yadav or Axar Patel could step into the playing XI. 

On the Bangladesh side, there are concerns about all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who injured his left index finger while batting in Chennai. If Shakib is unable to play, Bangladesh may include left-arm spinner Taijul Islam in his place. The team is considering maintaining three spinners in their lineup.

In previous Tests at Kanpur, particularly against New Zealand in 2021, India also fielded three spinners. Batters may find it easier to score runs on the Kanpur pitch, as it is unlikely to present significant challenges. In the last Test at this venue, Shreyas Iyer had a memorable debut with a century and a fifty, while New Zealand's Tom Latham displayed excellent defensive skills against the Indian spinners.