With less than 24 hours to go for the one-off international Test match between India and Bangladesh, the excitement has suddenly climbed its peak. It will be almost after a year that these two nations are set to lock horns against each other.
India vs Bangladesh 2017: Only Test – Preview
Interestingly, this is the Bangladesh’s maiden Test on Indian soil after getting Test playing status in 2000. The match is scheduled to be played at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on 9th February, 2017. The highest score recorded at this venue is 503 and 472 – both recorded by India. While New Zealand’s 448 is still the highest score amassed by a visiting team in Hyderabad.
India’s ace spinner R Ashwin has performed miraculously at this ground. He picked up 18 wickets in 2 Test matches at this venue. “This is a very good venue not just because of my happy memories, but also because of the entire facility. It has a lush green outfield and it is a big ground for a spinner. You can toss the ball a little bit more over here. There is a bit of hold and bounce in the wicket, so it gives you allowance to try and be imaginative on this ground. I enjoy bowling here, but this is going to be a fresh game and I need to start afresh,” said Ashwin in an interview to BCCI.TV.
For Bangladesh, it’s right time to change statistics. They have played a total of 8 tests against India irrespective of venues but haven’t won any match as yet. India are currently maintaining a brilliant win record of 6-0 against the Bangla tigers. But it’s going to be tough for India this time. Bangladesh have played some fantastic cricket in the last few months. They played well against England last year and also posed stiff challenges to New Zealand. If Bangladesh outwit India at this series, then it will bring to halt India’s 20 consecutive home test wins.
Kohli and Co. are in excellent form these days. They have recently won the bilateral series against England in all formats. Definitely, Bangladesh will have to play some smart cricket and do something extraordinary to trouble Indian batsmen or else it will be a lost cause already.
Last time India and Bangladesh fought in a test was way back in June 2015, when the hosts Bangladesh were able to draw a rain-affected test at Fatullah. According to Bangladesh test captain Mushfiqur Rahim, “I don`t believe that this is a historic Test. To me, this is just another Test. Yes, we are happy and excited to show the world what our team is capable of doing in India but I am not really thinking about the number of years after which we are going to play a Test in India,” he added while talking to media.
Latest team news confirmed that Bangladesh will have to play this Test without the service of opener Imrul Kayes. The batting pair of Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar will open the innings for Bangladesh. Sources quoted that Murali Vijay and Lokesh Rahul will open the innings for India to be followed by Rahane and Kohli at number third and fourth spot respectively.
Teams (Probable XI):
India: Virat Kohli (Captain), Murali Vijay, Lokesh Rahul, Ajinkya Rahane, Karun Nair, Wriddhiman Saha (Wicket Keeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Amit Mishra.
Bangladesh: Mushfiqur Rahim (Captain), Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Mominul Haque, Mahmudullah Riyad, Shakib Al Hasan, Sabbir Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Kamrul Islam, Taijul Islam and Liton Das.
Tags: Bangladesh, Hyderabad, India, Only Test, Preview, Test Cricket, Test Match
