NEW DELHI: India will want their big guns, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, to fire when the mighty hosts aim for a clean sweep against a beleaguered Bangladesh in the second and final Test starting here on Friday.
The all-round performance of Ravichandran Ashwin, Shubman Gill’s sublime century, Ravindra Jadeja’s quality batting, and Rishabh Pant’s roaring comeback allowed India to script a comfortable victory in Chennai, despite being put under pressure by the Bangladesh pacers on day one.
The way India bounced back in the game reaffirmed their supremacy in Test cricket, especially at home, where they are on course for a record-extending 18th consecutive series win.
Having made a successful return in white-ball cricket, it is now time for Pant to show that the Test arena is where he can make the maximum impact.
It seems he has even added one more dimension to his game: curbing his aggressive instinct if the situation demands, making him even more dangerous.
However, both Rohit and Virat’s bats remained silent in the series opener, as Bangladesh pacers — Hasan Mahmud and Taskin Ahmed — bowled probing lines on a supportive track and were rewarded.
With a long Test season ahead, the two premier batters must be itching to get back among the runs.
Playing his first Test at home since March 2023, Kohli did not appear at his sharpest, and one can trust him to avoid expansive cover drives at the start of his innings.
The Green Park wicket has traditionally been a low and slow track that assists spinners. While it is expected to offer some assistance to the fast bowlers initially, the basic nature of the pitch, prepared with black soil brought from Unnao, is not expected to change much.
The wicket will become slower as the game progresses, meaning India could field three spinners instead of three pacers. If that is indeed the case, Akash Deep could make way for Kuldeep Yadav.
If India feel they need more cushion with the bat, then Axar Patel might just edge out home hero Kuldeep, who has performed exceptionally over the last 18 months.
In the last Test played at Green Park in 2021, India fielded three spinners — Ashwin, Jadeja, and Axar — in a game that ended in a thrilling draw with New Zealand.
Interestingly, the 2021 contest and the one before that in 2016 (also against New Zealand) both lasted five days.
On the other hand, Bangladesh, who failed to apply themselves with the bat in the series opener, are expected to make changes to their playing eleven. They struggled against a high-quality Indian pace attack in their first innings in Chennai and then could not handle Ashwin and Co while chasing an improbable target.
The team management has given contrasting statements on Shakib Al Hasan’s availability. While a selector said that he is doubtful due to a finger injury he suffered while batting in Chennai, head coach Chandika Hathurusingha stated that he is eligible for selection.
Bangladesh may bring in left-arm spinner Taijul Islam in place of the lanky pacer Nahid Rana. They also have the option of off-spinner Nayeem Hasan.
In 73 Tests, Ravindra Jadeja has taken 299 wickets and scored 3,122 runs. He needs just one more scalp to become the second-fastest player in Test history to complete the double of 300 wickets and 3,000 runs.
England great Ian Botham achieved the feat in 72 matches.
The muggy weather will pose a significant challenge for the players. The humidity has been very high in the city over the last few days. The Indian team made Thursday’s practice optional, citing the need to save players from the searing heat.
The match may see interruptions on the first and third days, with the weather forecast predicting rain.
India have not lost a Test to Bangladesh to date, and the visitors will need a special effort to reverse that statistic.
