The eagerly anticipated Test series between India and Bangladesh is set to thrill cricket aficionados. The series opener is scheduled for Thursday at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, with the first ball to be bowled at 10:00 AM Bangladesh time.
Bangladesh, captained by Najmul Hossain Shanto, is on a quest for their first Test victory against India. Historically, they have faced India 13 times in Tests, suffering 11 defeats and managing only two draws.
However, they are up against a formidable Indian side led by Rohit Sharma, currently the top team in the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25. Here’s an in-depth look at the upcoming clash.
Bangladesh enter this series with a significant boost, having secured their first-ever Test series win against Pakistan, triumphing 2-0 in Rawalpindi earlier this month. This historic victory has instilled a quiet confidence in Shanto's squad as they aim to challenge a highly accomplished Indian team on their home soil for the first time in Test cricket.
Key players for Bangladesh include the experienced Shakib Al Hasan, the dynamic Litton Das, and the reliable Mushfiqur Rahim. Additionally, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who was the standout performer against Pakistan, will be crucial. Bangladesh is expected to retain their winning combination, with senior players needing to step up as the series against India will be a stern test.
With a high-profile five-match series against Australia looming, Rohit Sharma's team India will be looking to fine-tune their strategies. However, the captain has made it clear that they are not viewing the Bangladesh series as a mere warm-up and are focused on securing a win to bolster their position in the World Test Championship standings.
Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul are set to return to India's playing XI, likely replacing Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel, who performed admirably in the series against England earlier this year. The team management is expected to rely on experienced players, although Rohit has recently highlighted the potential of these two cricketers, along with Yashasvi Jaiswal, to excel across all three formats of the game.
Historically, India has dominated the Test format against Bangladesh. Out of the 13 Test matches played between the two sides, India has emerged victorious in 11, with two matches ending in a draw. Bangladesh, however, is yet to secure a win in Test cricket against India, a record they are eager to change.
