3 reasons why Bangladesh can beat India in the 2024 Test series
The first Test between India and Bangladesh began at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday, September 19. The two sides are featuring in a two-match Test series, with the second game to be played at Green Park in Kanpur from September 27 to October 1.
The ongoing series is India's first red-ball assignment since they beat England 4-1 at home in March. As for Bangladesh, they are fresh off a historic 2-0 series win in Pakistan. The visitors will now look to build on the great work they did in their previous Test series.
Bangladesh have never beaten India in a Test match so far. Of the 13 games played ahead of the ongoing series, India have won 11, while the two other matches have ended in a draw. However, the visitors can pose a bigger challenge for India this time. Here are three reasons Bangladesh can beat the hosts in the two-match Test series.
#1 India's Test batting is not in the pink of health
On paper, India have a strong batting line-up. But the reality is that, when it comes to Test cricket, the team's batting has not been in the best of shapes in recent times. An illustration of the same was evident on Day 1 of the Chennai Test as India slipped to 34-3 inside 10 overs before Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant staged a recovery for the hosts.
Skipper Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli all fell cheaply. While the trio has been among the runs, all of them have been up and down in Test cricket regarding their overall performances. And there have been a few instances when India have lost wickets in a heap.
Further, Pant is making a return to Test cricket after a long gap owing to his car accident. He played a fighting knock of 39 on Day 1 of the Chennai Test. However, the manner of his dismissal, tentatively hanging his bat at one outside the off stump, is perhaps proof that one cannot expect him to get into his zone as a Test batter right away. It was a clear case of lack of concentration.
Also, KL Rahul is making a comeback to Test cricket after suffering an injury during the England series earlier this year. He did well in the first Test against the Englishmen in Hyderabad, but his overall red-ball form has been patchy. So, there are opportunities for Bangladesh to make a big impact.
#2 Bangladesh have variety and quality in bowling
Continuing from the above point, it would be fair to say that Bangladesh possess a potent bowling line-up that can trouble Indian batters. Pacer Hasan Mahmud has made a brilliant start to the Chennai Test. He claimed three big Indian wickets in the first session and added the scalp of Pant early in the second.
Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana make a good mix of experience and youth in the pace bowling department. All-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz is fast developing into one of Bangladesh's most potent forces with his off-spin. Undoubtedly, he has the talent to make a defining impact in the series, especially given the conditions. Bangladesh also have the canny left-arm spin of seasoned Shakib Al Hasan.
#3 The visitors have experienced batters to tackle India's spin threat
As has been the case for the last decade, India will be banking on the spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja to deliver the goods against Bangladesh. However, the visitors themselves would be confident of tackling the spin threat, given the experience in their batting line-up.
Veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim scored a superb 191 in the first Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi. He has the proven ability to hold the innings together. Mehidy Hasan made key contributions with the bat in Pakistan, scoring 70s under pressure situations in both Tests.
Keeper-batter Litton Das has also improved his consistency in recent times and has become a force to reckon with. The right-hander contributed a half-century and a hundred in the historic win in Pakistan. Looking at the others in the batting line-up, skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, and Shakib can make game-defining impacts with the willow.
Despite some perceptible weaknesses, India will be favorites in the two-match Test series. However, Bangladesh would know deep inside that they can take this Indian team down if they perform to their full potential.