India returns to Test cricket with a two-match home series against a buoyant Bangladesh team, who are high on confidence after their historic 2-0 series win over Pakistan. The first Test is taking place at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and opted to bowl, hoping to make early inroads with a Chepauk pitch that offers bounce and carry, especially in the initial stages.
India has named a full-strength squad, with all their top red-ball players in action. This Test marks the start of India’s crucial home season as they look to secure a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Following this series, India will host New Zealand for three Tests, which will be followed by a much-anticipated five-Test series against Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
India’s Formidable Home Record
India has been almost unbeatable at home, having won 17 consecutive Test series since 2013. Bangladesh, in contrast, has never won a Test match against India, losing 11 of their 13 encounters, with two ending in draws. However, the visitors are entering this series with a fresh sense of confidence and hope to break their losing streak.
Preparations and Pitch Analysis
The Indian squad, led by Rohit Sharma, arrived in Chennai a week early to get accustomed to the conditions. Key players like Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, and the returning Rishabh Pant have had extensive net sessions, with the focus being on tackling Bangladesh’s spin-heavy bowling attack. Bangladesh, meanwhile, has been preparing intensively, with players like Litton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, and young pacer Nahid Rana looking sharp in the nets.
The Chepauk pitch is laid with red soil, usually seen in Wankhede, which is known to offer bounce and carry for seamers early on. However, as the Test progresses, spinners are expected to come into play due to the hot and humid Chennai weather. India has key bowling options in Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, R Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja. The final decision Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir must make is whether to go with an extra spinner or seamer, with Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep, and Yash Dayal vying for the fifth bowling spot.
Bangladesh’s Strengths
Bangladesh’s spin attack, led by Taijul Islam and Nayeem Hasan, will be crucial on this pitch. Shakib Al Hasan, who is expected to join the squad after his County stint, will further bolster their bowling department. Bangladesh will also rely on their experienced batters, like Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das, while young stars like Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Zakir Hasan aim to make a mark in this series.
Selection Dilemmas for India
India faces a few selection headaches, particularly in the batting order, where Sarfaraz Khan and KL Rahul are competing for a spot. KL Rahul is returning to Test cricket after a long break, while Sarfaraz has been in impressive form. Dhruv Jurel, who shined in his debut series against England, is likely to make way for Rishabh Pant, who returns to Test cricket after a two-year gap.
With the Test series also serving as preparation for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, Rohit Sharma has emphasized the importance of managing the workload of key players. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj were both rested during India’s last Test series against England, allowing young talents like Akash Deep to debut. However, with just two Tests against Bangladesh, the room for experimentation is limited. Rotation might be more likely during the three-Test series against New Zealand.
As Day 1 unfolds, all eyes will be on how the Chepauk pitch plays and whether Bangladesh can challenge India in their own backyard.