IND vs BAN: 2nd Test Preview – Eden Gardens braces for historic day-night affair
Kolkata is ready. Eden Gardens is ready. And so are the two teams, India and Bangladesh, who head into the second Test of the series on November 22. It is a historic moment for both nations, who will be playing their first-ever Test match under lights with the pink ball. A lot of the focus will be on how the ball behaves in these conditions at one of the most significant stadiums in India. With so much history between the two nations, this is a landmark event in the cricketing world.
Read: IND vs BAN – Kolkata turns pink for the historic day-night Test
Having inflicted a comprehensive innings-defeat on Bangladesh in the first Test, India will be riding high on confidence. With their win in Indore, the hosts have now won six consecutive Tests in a row. There could not have been a better time for Indian Test cricket. Their pace trio is hunting in packs, their top order is bolstered by Mayank Agarwal’s raging form. Their spinners have gone beyond domination at home.
On the other hand, Bangladesh are desperately in need of some inspiration. Barring a couple of players, there hasn’t been much of fightback. Their submissive brand of cricket is what needs to change and that responsibility lies with the senior statesmen. In the absence of Shakib Al Hasan, veterans like Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah need to take the onus of leading the team by example.
The Pink Test
But the biggest challenge both teams will face is that of the pink ball. After the end of the first, Team India extended their stay in Indore to practice with the pink ball for a couple of days. Earliest impressions suggest that playing the ball late will be the key to adapt to newer conditions. India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane was particularly excited with the prospect of the pink-ball affair.
Match info:
India vs Bangladesh, 2nd Test
Eden Gardens, Kolkata (01:00 PM IST)
India enjoy a dominant record at this venue, having won seven of their last 11 Tests here since 2000. This will be the 42nd Test at Eden Gardens, the most any Indian ground has hosted.
Head-to-Head
Played: 10
India wins: 8
Bangladesh wins: 0
Draw: 2
Team News
India
Not a lot needs to change in India’s playing XI but there could be a temptation of playing Kuldeep Yadav, who has had his fair share of success with the pink ball in the 2016 Duleep Trophy. Given how difficult it is to pick the leg-spinner’s variations, his inclusion could be an added advantage. The only question remains – who will he replace? The Indian team is functioning like a well-oiled machine and that has largely been due to their persistence with the winning combination. Some eyes will be on India’s No.3, Cheteshwar Pujara, who’s also tasted success with the pink at the domestic level.
In all readiness ???
The lethal trio are ready for the #PinkBallTest – Are you? ?? #TeamIndia #INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/8oP0rIvm7K— BCCI (@BCCI) November 20, 2019
Bangladesh
21-year-old Saif Hassan, who was set to make his Test debut at Kolkata, has been ruled out due to a split-finger webbing in his hand. The reserve batsman injured himself on 12th Man duty in the first Test at Indore. Unfortunately for Bangladesh, they will have to persist with their current opening combination of Shadman Islam and Imrul Kayes. Their pace bowler Abu Jayed had a fruitful first Test with four wickets. It will be interesting to see what their fast bowling unit can do with the pink ball. Bangladesh could also try promoting Liton Das up the batting order for a potential turnaround.
Key Players
Rohit Sharma (India): The opener’s love affair with Eden Gardens dates back to 2012 when he first scored an IPL century at this venue. Having been promoted to open in Test cricket, Rohit Sharma’s rebirth in the longer format is almost identical to his ODI exploits. The Mumbai batsman is coming off a successful series against South Africa, scoring his double ton and two centuries. It will now be interesting to see how Rohit fares in this role in challenging conditions.
Abu Jayed (Bangladesh): With figures of 4-108 and an economy of 4.32 in the first Test, Abu Jayed brought in a breath of fresh air with his inspired spell of fast bowling. His four victims included Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane. Jayed fell one wicket short of his maiden Test fifer but if his rich vein of form continues at Kolkata, that milestone isn’t far away.
Probable XI
India: M Agarwal, R Sharma, C Pujara, V Kohli (c), A Rahane, W Saha (wk), R Jadeja/K Yadav, R Ashwin, I Sharma, M Shami, U Yadav
Bangladesh: S Islam, I Kayes, M Haque (c), M Rahim, Mahmudullah, L Das (wk), M Mithun, T Islam, M Hasan, A Jayed, E Hossain
