Shamik Chakrabarty in Chennai
Only about a month ago, Bangladesh was in ferment. People were protesting on the streets and violence was en vogue. The country has seen a regime change but deep scars still remain.
Against this backdrop, the Bangladesh cricket team went to Pakistan to play two Tests and they clean-swept their hosts to achieve a historic feat. Obviously, their confidence is high as they take on India in a two-Test series, but deep down, even the Bangladesh think-tank knows the team will have to do something really special to pull off an upset here.
Najmul Hossain Shanto, the Bangladesh captain, said as much at the pre-match presser. “We played very good cricket against Pakistan but that is the past,” said Shanto. “That gives us confidence, but we are here to play a good series. India are a different challenge.”
One discernible change in Bangladesh’s approach was the matter-of-fact way they took their success against Pakistan. Of course, they had an extended celebration at the Rawalpindi dressing room, but there wasn’t an emotional overdrive. An assignment against India, however, is different. For Bangladesh cricketers and the fans, India have always been the benchmark and their approach carries an emotional overtone.
Shanto, however, spoke about how things have changed over the years. “A lot of players have been playing for the last 10-15 years and (they) are experienced. That’s why we don’t get very emotional now.”
Bangladesh have unearthed a tearaway quick in Nahid Rana. Taskin Ahmed is an experienced campaigner and Hasan Mahmud moves the ball both ways. Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz offer a lorry-load of experience in the spin department. But they aren’t pretty used to playing with the SG ball. They play with the Kookaburra ball at home. In Pakistan also, they played with the Kookaburra ball.
The difference between an SG and a Kookaburra is that the former is hand-stitched and it has a more pronounced seam. The seamers can reverse the older ball, while the spinners find it more comfortable gripping it. At this level, however, the change shouldn’t be a problem, and Bangladesh have practiced with the SG ball for the last five-six days. But it could be a mental thing and the tourists will have to adjust.
Coming to India’s preparation, Akash Deep had an extended nets session the day before yesterday. The red soil pitch will not be a rank turner. In fact, from a distance, it looks benign. So, will India go with three seamers instead of three spinners? Unlikely. Bangladesh have several left-handers in their batting line-up, and Kuldeep Yadav’s stock ball will challenge the outside edge. With two fast bowlers playing, will Deep be Jasprit Bumrah’s new-ball partner instead of Mohammed Siraj? The Bengal quick is pretty slippery off the deck and he can bowl long spells. But Siraj is very good at bowling with the old ball as well.
India will back their strength and will not be unnecessarily perturbed by their rival’s new-found momentum. Player-to-player, the hosts are superior.
The first Test against Bangladesh is the beginning of a long red-ball season. Rohit Sharma and his troops consider this format as the ultimate and the players like to play Test cricket. Gautam Gambhir’s one-liner – “the best style is the style that wins (matches)” – summed up the mood in the camp. India will start the match as overwhelming favourites.
Take Jasprit Bumrah out of this Indian team, and the contest probably becomes 60-40 in favour of India. The presence of the fast bowler makes the hosts out-and-out favourites against Bangladesh@shamik100 writes #INDvBAN https://t.co/M37c2fvGJW
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) September 18, 2024
India’s probable playing XI: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
For more sports content: https://revsportz.in/