India will lock horns with Bangladesh in a two-match Test series in September, with the series kicking off on September 19th in Chennai and concluding on September 27th in Kanpur. This series is a crucial one for India, not only for maintaining its dominance in Test cricket but also as a stepping stone to the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in November.

Bangladesh: A Formidable Opponent

While India holds a considerable edge in the overall Test series head-to-head, Bangladesh has displayed remarkable growth and improvement in recent years. The Bangla Tigers’ recent series win over Pakistan serves as a stark reminder of their potential to cause significant trouble. Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina aptly summarizes the situation: “You cannot take Bangladesh lightly as they have a fine spin bowling attack and some good players who have done well for a long time.”

Spin Attack

The Bangladeshi bowling unit boasts an array of talented spinners capable of making life difficult for even the best batsmen on Indian soil. The Indian batsmen must be wary of the likes of Taijul Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and others. Their ability to extract bounce and turn from the wickets will be a significant factor in the series.

The Threat of Najmul Hossain Shanto

The young Bangladeshi batting star, Najmul Hossain Shanto, has risen to prominence and showcased impressive form recently. He was the leading run-scorer for Bangladesh in the Pakistan series, demonstrating his technical ability and temperament. He is a key player for Bangladesh and poses a considerable threat to India’s bowling attack.

India’s Preparations: A Stepping Stone to Australia

The two-match Test series against Bangladesh serves as an essential preparation ground for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. India, aiming for a successful tour of Australia, will use this series to test out different combinations and strategies.

India’s Duleep Trophy: Building Momentum

The BCCI has initiated a smart initiative with the Duleep Trophy, fielding top players in a domestic competition before the international series. This strategy ensures players stay match-fit and provide valuable experience in red-ball cricket.

Duleep Trophy: A Look at Key Players

Shubman Gill, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Shreyas Iyer are leading India A, B, C, and D teams respectively in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Experienced players like KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav, Sarfaraz Khan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Kuldeep Yadav, amongst others, are also participating. This participation gives the selection committee a valuable opportunity to assess the form and fitness of key players.

Rest for Key Players

India’s star players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Ravichandran Ashwin are rested from the Duleep Trophy, focusing on their preparation for the crucial Test series against Bangladesh and Australia. This strategic approach allows the management to carefully manage the workload and fitness of their key assets.

Key Takeaways

The two-match Test series against Bangladesh presents a valuable opportunity for India to:

• Get valuable match practice before the high-pressure series against Australia.
• Assess the performance and fitness of players during the Duleep Trophy.
• Provide opportunities for young and upcoming players to showcase their skills.

The Bangladesh series holds a lot more than meets the eye. While India is favored, the upcoming series poses a crucial challenge. The success of the series against Bangladesh will undoubtedly be a pivotal factor in shaping India’s chances in the crucial clash against Australia.