India’s declaration vs Bangladesh on Day 4 in Kanpur is historic Test feat

India declared their first innings in less than 35 overs in Kanpur, making history as the first team in the twenty-first century and only the second in seventy years.

Due to a damp outfield, play was halted for two days during India’s second Test match against Bangladesh at Green Park in Kanpur. With vital World Test Championship 2023–25 points at risk, it was evident that India was running out of time.

In the second session of the day, Rohit Sharma and company put Bangladesh’s bowlers through an incredible blitz as soon as they were bowled out for 233. The power-packed hitting was so devastating that India smashed the record for the fastest team to score 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 runs in an inning. Afterwards, the captain opted to declare their innings at 285 runs after consulting with management.

An other example of the previously described situation is the Infamous 2000 Test.

In the fifth and final Test of the series against England in early 2000, it was Hansie Cronje who shamefully gave up South Africa’s second innings, in contrast to Rohit and the Indian backend staff’s sincere interest.

Cronje declared his side’s first innings on a score of 248 in a game where rain caused Day 1 to end early due to persistent precipitation, light rain combined with a wet outfield on Day 4, and continuous precipitation during the night and scheduled hours on Days 2 and 3.

Following a conversation with England’s captain, Nasser Hussain, both teams declared the game’s second and third innings to give England a chance to reach a target of 249 runs with more than 85 overs remaining.

Although it appeared at the time that Cronje was genuinely attempting to force a result, it was eventually discovered that he was only acting at the request of a bookmaker looking to earn a quick cash under the table.