IND vs BAN: 1st Test Preview – New-look Bangladesh up against masters at home
India’s last Test series was against South Africa in India. The number one side in Test cricket registered a world record by winning their 12th consecutive series at home with an emphatic margin of 3-0. Their current opposition, Bangladesh, ranked ninth in the world, lost to Afghanistan by 224 runs. The gulf between the results perfectly encapsulates the mindset with which the teams will be coming into this series.
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Thus far, India have relentlessly dominated Bangladesh in Test cricket. The current Indian Test unit is a well-established side with experienced talented cricketers who can take on any opposition. This two-match Test series against Bangladesh will be a perfect opportunity for them to display their ruthless domination.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh are shaken. Although they showed great spirits in the three-match T20I series, the longest format of the game will not be that easy. The absence of two of their top three run-getters in Test cricket will be a huge blow. In Shakib, they will also miss their highest wicket-taker in Tests. Mushfiqur Rahim, who will be playing as a specialist batsman, will be the batting mainstay along with captain Mominul Haque and Mahmudullah.
HE IS BACK – Captain @imVkohli spends quality time at the nets ahead of the 1st Test in Indore ??? #TeamIndia #INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/5Y2BakwRfj
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 12, 2019
Match Info
India vs Bangladesh, 1st Test
Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore (09:30 AM IST)
The weather in India has been acting up weird, however, all five days of this Test match are expected to enjoy sunshine.
Head-To-Head
Played: 9
India wins: 7
Bangladesh wins: 0
Draws: 2
Team News
India
India have a set combination in place. With Rohit Sharma blazing all guns at the top against South Africa, Bangladesh bowling attack should not be much of a worry for him. Mayank Agarwal will be his opening partner with Cheteshwar Pujara coming in at number three. Virat Kohli had rested from the T20I series but he will be solid at number four in this series. Ajinkya Rahane at five will complete the specialist batsmen’s quota.
Against South Africa, India played with five bowlers. They are likely to adopt the same approach against Asian neighbours. Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin will be the spin duo. Ishant Sharma did not play in the third Test against South Africa, he should make a comeback to the team. Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami shall take up the remaining two spots.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh are returning to Test cricket after their horror loss against Afghanistan in their own backyard. Adding to their worries, they will be missing their star cricketers Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal. Their current captain, Mominul Haque, has been assigned the national leadership in Shakib’s absence.
With Tamim Iqbal not available, the choice for Shadman Islam’s opening partner will be between experienced Imrul Kayes or youngster Saif Hassan. Mominul, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah and Mohammad Mithun will be the core of Bangladeshi batting. Liton Das is expected to double up as a wicketkeeper-batsman. Mehedy Hasan and Mustafizur Rehman will be the senior bowlers in this lineup.
Probable XI
India: M Agarwal, R Sharma, C Pujara, V Kohli (c), A Rahane, W Saha (wk), R Jadeja, R Ashwin, I Sharma, M Shami, U Yadav
Bangladesh: S Islam, S Hassan/I Kayes, M Haque (c), M Rahim, Mahmudullah, M Mithun, L Das (wk), T Islam, M Hasan, Al-Amin Hossain, M Rahman
