Tigers Aim for Maiden Test Victory Against India

Bangladesh are determined to come all guns blazing to create more history when they take on India in the two-match series opening Test tomorrow (Thursday) at M Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The match starts at 10 AM Bangladesh time.

Two weeks ago, Bangladesh completed a 2-0 sweep over Pakistan, which would go down as the most decorated victories in the annals of the country’s cricket. The Tigers want to replicate the same performance against India to continue that winning spree even though the hosts are far more competitive opponent than Pakistan.

But Bangladesh got a side that is extremely balanced, suited with every effective weapon to combat against any country in any condition. While they have two genuine all rounder in Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who gave them the cushion of two extra bowlers and two extra batters, the most impressive thing was the rejuvenation of their pace attack.

In Nahid Rana, Bangladesh have a raw pace while the likes of Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Syed Khaled Ahmed could move the ball admirably with high pace. Bangladesh pacers have been lethal over the last two years, giving the sides a hope of winning the first ever Test series against India after Pakistan.

Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha termed this Test squad as the best ever he has seen in the country’s cricket history. And his comment was not exaggerated. Indian experts like Harsha Bhogle, Akash Chopra also warned India about Bangladesh’s strength and potentials. According to them, Bangladesh are no longer the team that they were five years ago when they last visited India and were swept away in two-match series. India won both of the Tests by innings margin and inside two and half days.

However, the difference between two teams were significantly decreased and that was well documented in the result of the last meetings between the two sides. Two years ago at home den, Bangladesh almost secured a victory before India held their nerve to win the game by three wickets on fifth day. According to Bangladesh Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto if his side can take the Test in the fifth day in this tour, there will be opportunity for them to win the match.

“You have to play well over the five days to win a Test. Our goal is to play well for five days. I believe if we can take the Test to fifth day, there is opportunity for us to win the game,” Shanto said prior to leave the country. “We are aware that it is going to be a very challenging series for us. But the team is oozing with confidence after a good series in Pakistan. There is extra confidence in the team and our people believe that we can beat India. Every series is an opportunity. We will play to win both matches.” The two teams met 13 times in Test format of which India won 11 while the rest of the two Tests were drawn.

For India series, Bangladesh had retained the almost same team that played against Pakistan. There was one injury-forced change with Jaker Ali Anik coming in place of pacer Shoriful Islam who is yet to recover from his injury sustained in Pakistan. Bangladesh is highly like to field the same XI which played the second Test against Pakistan. With the kind of form, the team has been going through this is the best opportunity for Bangladesh to secure their maiden win against India.

Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Liton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Nahid Rana, Jaker Ali Anik, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed and Syed Khaled Ahmed. India: Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Yash Dayal.