3 things India need to do right to beat Bangladesh in the 1st Test ft. R Ashwin's role
Bangladesh have never beaten India in a Test match, but they're in excellent form. The gulf between the two sides has arguably never been narrower, and the hosts will do well to take the Tigers seriously when the first Test commences in Chennai on Thursday, September 19.
Bangladesh are on the back of a memorable series win over Pakistan. Coach Chandika Hathurusinghe even claimed that the current he is currently at the helm of is the most well-rounded he has seen in his time. Teeming with talent in all departments, the visitors will be keen on upsetting another Asian giant.
What can Rohit Sharma and company do from a tactical perspective to stay ahead of the opposition? Their home forrm indicates that they have most things covered, but they were seriously tested at times in their last assignment against England.
On that note, here are three things India need to do right to beat Bangladesh in the first Test.
#3 India need to throw Bangladesh's fast bowlers off their lengths
In Bangladesh's Test series win over Pakistan, their fast bowlers played a starring role. Nahid Rana unsettled the hosts with his pace and bounce, with the likes of Hasan Mahmud and Taskin Ahmed doing their bit as well.
While Bangladesh are unlikely to play three fast bowlers and are primed to field a third spinner instead, India should have set plans against them. Playing their shots against the quicker men and throwing them off their lengths could go a long way in dictating the tempo of the Test.
Shakib Al Hasan isn't in the best bowling form of his life, both in terms of performance and workload, and forcing Bangladesh to use him heavily could work well in the first Test. The Tigers can't be allowed to make early inroads with the new ball and then force a strangle of the middle order with their spinners.
#2 India need to back their batting and play Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav vs Axar Patel is one of India's selection questions heading into the first Test against Bangladesh. The latter has bailed them out of many tricky spots with the bat, but his red-ball bowling hasn't been overly inspiring of late.
That should ideally prompt India to play Kuldeep, who could be crucial against Bangladesh's slew of left-handers. There's already plenty of batting depth, with Ravichandran Ashwin at No. 8, and KL Rahul's presence in the middle order adding some solidity.
Given the conditions that are expected in Chennai, with extra bounce and purchase on the cards, Kuldeep could be the point of difference as India look to seal a dominant win.
#1 Rohit Sharma needs to rely heavily on R Ashwin
During the England Tests, there were times when Rohit Sharma seemed to hold off from handing Ashwin the ball for too long. Ben Duckett often got his team off to a flier, and by the time the veteran off-spinner was introduced, it was already a touch too late.
India need to be careful not to make the same mistake again. It wouldn't be the worst idea to hand Ashwin the new ball, with Bangladesh having several left-handers in the top order and early purchase on the cards. Even if Rohit backs his pacers to do the job early on, he needs to bring the hometown boy into the attack early in the piece.