Bangladesh's 3 best Test knocks vs India ft. Mohammad Ashraful
Bangladesh will be high on confidence as they gear up to square off against India in a two-match Test series, starting on September 19, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The Bangla Tigers recently defeated Pakistan 2-0 in their backyard, which should give them a lot of confidence ahead of a very tough tour.
Beating India in their own den is one of the toughest propositions in world cricket. India haven’t lost a Test series home since their 1-2 defeat against England back in 2012-13. Since then, the Indians have gone on from strength to strength and have blown their opposition in their territory.
With Bangladesh also producing similar pitches back home, they would be hoping that they could cause an upset in the series. They are yet to beat India in this format and this series will serve as a big opportunity. Having made their Test debut against India back in 2000, Bangladesh have failed to beat the superior sides consistently.
They have challenged the opposition in their home conditions but have hardly managed to challenge their opposition away from home. The Test win in New Zealand in 2021-22 has given Bangladesh the confidence to challenge even in away conditions. Over the years, the Bangladesh batters have played some fine knocks against India in Tests.
Having said that, let us have a look at three best Test knocks by a Bangladesh batter against India in Tests:
#3 Mushfiqur Rahim- 101 in Chattogram, 2010
It was the first time Bangladesh seriously challenged India in a Test match. A well-crafted century from Sachin Tendulkar took India to a score of 243 in their first innings. A vital half-century from Mahmudullah and a crucial contribution from Mushfiqur Rahim took Bangladesh just one run away from India’s first-innings score.
However, India piled the agony on the Bangladesh bowlers in the second innings. Riding on a sensational century from Gautam Gambhir, India posted a massive 413 in their second innings, almost batting Bangladesh out of the game. With backs to their wall, wicketkeeper batter Mushfiqur Rahim played a brilliant knock.
Chasing 415 to win, Bangladesh kept losing wickets at regular intervals and was reduced to 135/5 when Rahim came out in the middle. He looked positive from the outset and tried to score runs rather than defending everything.
He shared some crucial stands with the lower order and was the last man dismissed after getting to a century. His knock of 101 came in just 117 deliveries and was studded with 17 fours and a six.
#2 Aminul Islam- 145 in Dhaka, 2000
The stage was set for Bangladesh’s inaugural Test match and not many would have given them a chance against a much fancied Indian side. However, Bangladesh looked pumped up for the occasion and came down hard at the Indian bowlers.
Winning the toss, the Bangladesh skipper Naimur Islam put themselves in. They lost two quick wickets when Aminul came out to bat. He looked resolute in his defence and cashed onto any loose deliveries provided by the Indian bowlers. He was hardly bothered by the Indian bowlers and looked like a proper Test batter.
He struck 17 fours during his knock of 145 which propelled Bangladesh to a big score of 400 in their first innings. None of the Indian batters could get a century but it turned out to be a combined effort which yielded them a 28-run first innings lead. Bangladesh were blown away in the second innings for just 91 runs which paved the way for a convincing nine-wicket win for India.
#1. Mohammad Ashraful- 158 in Chattogram, 2004
One of the most stylish batters Bangladesh have ever produced, Mohammad Ashraful scored a magnificent 158 against India in 2004 which made Sourav Ganguly suggest that it was perhaps the best Test knock he has witnessed. Ashraful who is the youngest centurion in Test history, looked in complete command against a good Indian bowling attack.
Centuries from Gautam Gambhir and Rahul Dravid helped India post a massive 540 in their first innings. Bangladesh were reduced to 54/3 in the first innings which prompted Ashraful to start playing his shots. He struck some gorgeous strokes and never really allowed any bowler to settle.
His knock of 158 came in just 194 deliveries, studded with 24 fours and 3 sixes. India enforced the follow-on after securing a 207 run lead and was bowled out for just 124 in the second innings, handing India a comprehensive win by an innings and 83 runs