It is talk in international cricket community whether new Bangladesh playing brilliant aggressive cricket in their historic test series win against Pakistan in Pakistan can challenge invincible team India in India? We all know that India almost invincible in India is now sitting at the top of ICC Test Championship table. Bangladesh after achieving a comprehensive series whitewash against Pakistan has elevated its position to 4th in the points table. 

India has named their strongest possible squad for the first test of the two matches test series. Bangladesh has also announced their squad. The first test is set to start at Chennai on 19 September 2024. Whatever be the relative position in the ranking India Bangladesh series in any format creates the same vibe as Ashes or India -Pakistan Contest because of huge fan followers of both the team. 

Indian Squad: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Yashavi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfraz Khan, Rishav Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandra Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, Dhrubo Jurel, Akash Deep Singh and Yash Dayal.

Bangladesh Squad: Nazmul Hosen Shanto (Captain) , Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mominul Haq, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Kumar Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraj, Zakir Ali  Onik, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmood, Nahid Rana , Taijul Islam, Khaled Ahmed and Nayeem Hasan.

India has named their strongest possible squad with the intention of achieving full points. They need to stay on the top of the table well clear of their challengers Australia and New Zealand. India will be engaged in a very important series against Australia in the Australian Summer. Indian team recognizes that a changed Bangladesh test team is more than capable of challenging India or any team anywhere now. However, Indian legend Sourav Ganguly stated that Bangladesh stands no chance against India in India. A rejuvenated Bangladesh may prove him wrong if India underestimates Bangladesh. 

Indian team will possibly miss Mohammad Sami still recovering from Injury. They have included Yasah Dayal a rookie pacer for excellent form in domestic cricket. Otherwise, India new ball attack will be in the safe hands of X-factor Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj. If India opts playing a third seamer it will be Akash Deep Singh. Spin will be Indian forte on the spin favoring wickets of Chennai and Kanpoor. Either Kuldeep or Axar Patel will play alongside two spin masters Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandra Ashwin. Indian batting on any wicket anywhere in the world is possibly the best in test. 

We all know what Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli can do on their days. They are among the best batsmen ever. KL Rahul is also a prolific batsman, two youngsters Yashavi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill have also started rocking. India is expected to be well served from their dashing wicket keeper batsman Rishav Pant. If the top order collapses for any reason Ravichandra Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are quite capable of resurrecting. Bangladeshi pacers and spinners will have tasks cut out in containing strong Indian batting. 

Bangladesh has made only one change in the squad that visited Pakistan. Left arm pacer Shoriful Islam is not 100% fit. His place has been taken over by late middle order batsman Zakir Ali Onik. The two tests in India will be played on spin favoring surfaces at Chennai and Kanpoor. We believe the squad with 8 genuine batsmen, four pacers, two genuine all-rounders and two spinners is possibly the best possible choice now. The only matter to ponder is whether to play with two pacers and an additional spinner or with three pacers and two spinning all-rounders. Taskin and Hasan Mahmood will be the first-choice pacers. But Bangladesh may like to surprise Indian batsmen with the raw pace of Nahid Rana. On Indian wickets it will be very difficult to ignore Taijul Islam arguably the best test spinner of Bangladesh.

The key to Bangladesh success will however be batting and batting well as a team. In Pakistan batsmen like Mushfique, Litton Das, Mehidy Miraj, Shadman Islam and Mominul batted well. But Nazmul Shanto and Shakib Al Hasan looked out of touch. Against very strong all round Indian attack Bangladesh batters must bat well as a team. If opportunity is there should bat first and try to bat at least 4-5 sessions in the first innings. Playing Indian spin in the last Innings in the venue may not be easy. 

India is strong favorites in the series beyond doubt , but Bangladesh must no longer be considered as a mere push over. Tigers have got the taste of blood. The team has developed a “Can Do” attitude. 

BDST: 1732 HRS, SEPT 13, 2024
MN