The highly anticipated first Test between India and Bangladesh begins today at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Team India is returning to Test cricket in their traditional white uniforms, facing a confident Bangladesh side that recently swept Pakistan in a series on their home ground. Although India has historically dominated these encounters, this time the contest might be more evenly matched, promising an exciting duel between the two teams.
India’s Test Revival: Key Returns and Expectations
One of the main talking points ahead of the match is the return of India’s batting maestro, Virat Kohli. Having taken a break of around eight months, Kohli is eager to get back on the field and make an immediate impact with his bat. Kohli’s experience and ability to anchor the innings in the longest format make him a vital asset for India, especially in home conditions where his record is stellar.
Kohli isn’t the only big name making a comeback. KL Rahul, who had been sidelined due to injury, is set to be available for selection once again. Known for his solid technique and ability to play long innings, Rahul’s return adds depth to the Indian batting line-up. However, the bigger story is the potential return of Rishabh Pant. After recovering from a serious accident that kept him out of action for over two years, Pant is ready to don the wicketkeeper’s gloves and, more importantly, light up the match with his fearless batting. His return is seen as a major boost for India, as he is known for turning games with his aggressive style of play.
Apart from these high-profile comebacks, the Indian team is stacked with other in-form players. Rohit Sharma will lead the side, and alongside him will be promising young openers like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, both of whom have shown immense potential in recent months. With the all-round brilliance of Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Ravichandran Ashwin, the team has a perfect balance of spin and pace bowling options. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will spearhead the pace attack, which could prove crucial on a red-soil Chennai pitch that offers something for the fast bowlers early on.
Bangladesh: Ready to Challenge India
Bangladesh, coming off a dominant home series against Pakistan, arrives in India with renewed confidence. Historically, Bangladesh has struggled against India, but they come into this match with a well-rounded squad and the experience of several senior players. The Bangladesh skipper, Najmul Hossain Shanto, will be leading a side that includes key players like Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan, both of whom have played crucial roles in Bangladesh’s cricketing journey.
Shakib Al Hasan, in particular, is expected to be a pivotal figure. The veteran all-rounder recently played a county match to prepare for the series, and his ability to perform with both bat and ball will be essential for Bangladesh’s chances. His experience in Indian conditions, coupled with his natural game awareness, makes him the most dangerous player in the Bangladesh camp.
Liton Das, the wicketkeeper-batter, is another important player for the visitors. With his ability to score runs quickly and adapt to various situations, Das will look to provide stability in the middle order. Taskin Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud will lead the pace attack, and the team will also have the services of Mehidy Hasan Miraz, a talented spinner who could trouble India’s strong batting line-up on a pitch expected to aid spinners as the game progresses.
The Pitch and Conditions: A Tactical Battle Awaits
The surface at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium is expected to be a red-soil pitch, which typically offers assistance to fast bowlers early on before breaking down and becoming more conducive to spin as the match progresses. This will make the opening days of the Test critical, as both teams will want to capitalize on the pace-friendly conditions before the spinners come into play later in the match.
India, with three spinners in the form of Ashwin, Jadeja, and Axar Patel, will likely aim to exploit the wearing track. Ashwin, in particular, has a fantastic record in Chennai and will be relishing the opportunity to bowl on a surface that could play to his strengths. Bangladesh, too, will rely heavily on their spinners, especially Shakib and Mehidy, to get the breakthroughs in the middle overs.
The weather in Chennai is forecasted to be hot and humid, with some cloud cover and winds blowing at 10 to 15 km/h. These conditions will challenge the players’ stamina, particularly during the afternoon sessions, where dehydration and fatigue can come into play. Staying hydrated and conserving energy will be key, especially for the fast bowlers, who will need to be at their best in the early stages of the game when the pitch offers them assistance.
Tactical Match-ups to Watch
The first Test will feature some exciting match-ups. Kohli’s return to face Shakib Al Hasan will be a key battle. Shakib, known for his ability to contain even the best batsmen, will aim to keep Kohli in check. On the other hand, Kohli’s focus will be on anchoring the Indian innings, especially if the top order faces early blows.
Rishabh Pant’s aggressive style will be another talking point. If Pant finds his rhythm, his ability to counterattack could unsettle Bangladesh’s bowling plans. His contest with Bangladesh’s spin attack, particularly Mehidy Hasan Miraz, will be fascinating to watch. Pant’s attacking mindset against spin has often paid dividends, and the hosts will look for him to put pressure on the bowlers.
For Bangladesh, the key will be their ability to withstand India’s strong bowling attack. The likes of Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam at the top of the order will need to handle the new ball effectively, especially against Bumrah and Siraj. If they can see off the early threat, Bangladesh’s middle order, led by Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim, will have a platform to build on.
On the bowling front, Taskin Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud will look to exploit the pace-friendly conditions early on. If they can get the ball to reverse swing as the game progresses, it could create problems for India’s middle order. Bangladesh’s spinners will also need to step up once the pitch starts breaking down, and the effectiveness of Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shakib will be crucial in restricting India’s run-scoring opportunities.
A Crucial Test Awaits
This Test series promises to be an exciting affair, with both India and Bangladesh having plenty to play for. India will be eager to assert their dominance in home conditions and get back to winning ways in Test cricket, especially with some of their star players returning to the fold. Bangladesh, on the other hand, will aim to prove that they can compete with the best in the world, and a strong performance in Chennai could set the tone for a competitive series.
The stage is set for a fascinating contest at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, and fans can expect a tactical battle with twists and turns over the five days of play. Both teams are stacked with talent, and it will come down to who can handle the conditions better and execute their plans with precision. With a red-soil pitch, challenging weather conditions, and high stakes, this Test promises to be a memorable one.
Match Details:
- What: India vs Bangladesh, 1st Test
- When: 9:30 AM IST, Thursday, September 19
- Where: M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
- Where to watch live: Sports 18 (TV) and JioCinema (App & Website)
Live-streaming India vs Bangladesh .
India vs Bangladesh 1st Test match will be streamed live on the JioCinema app and website .
India’s Probable XI:
Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah.
Bangladesh’s Probable XI:
Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al-Hasan, Liton Das (WK), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana
