India Look To Spin A New Story But Tricky Bangladesh No Pushovers

18.09.2024 - 10:57 sports.ndtv.com

Littered largely with lopsided contests, India's hopes of walking down that familiar path will hinge on sorting an uncharacteristic batting infirmity against spin when they face Bangladesh in a two-Test series starting in Chennai from Thursday.

Bangladesh, who are fresh from a recent 2-0 drubbing of Pakistan, are no pushovers this time and this will add to India's list of concerns as they look to take that bold first step into a long season that features 10 Tests, including a possible berth in the World Test Championship Final.

India's 40-4 (win-loss) home record in the last decade is awe-inducing but there is an ever-little crack, which is getting more pronounced in the past three years, particularly in the case of star batter Virat Kohli.

Kohli was a constant in India's bull run at home since 2015, crunching runs for fun against all comers. But since 2021, his numbers against spin have dipped -an average of 30 in 15 Tests in this period.

cricket India Cricket Team 2024 Virat Kohli Shakib Al-Hasan Rohit Sharma Ravindra Jadeja Rishabh Pant Jasprit Bumrah South Africa India Bangladesh Pakistan

Jasprit Bumrah has received a well-earned rest after starring for India in a 2-0 home Test series win over Bangladesh. However, while Team India plays on in the three-match T20I series, Bumrah has been spending his time in a different sphere of cricket. The pacer - recently crowned as the No. 1 Test bowler in the ICC rankings - was spotted during the blockbuster India-Pakistan game during the ongoing Women's T20 World Cup 2024, where India ended up winning the game with seven balls to spare.

Virat Kohli's T20I Record Broken, Hardik Pandya Makes History For India

Star India all-rounder Hardik Pandya overtook legendary batter Virat Kohli to achieve a unique feat of finishing most T20I matches with a six. Hardik accomplished this feat during the first T20I against Bangladesh at Gwalior. During the game, Hardik delivered a superb all-round performance. First while bowling, he took a wicket for 26 runs in his four overs, with an economy rate of 6.50. Later, during a run-chase of 128 runs, Hardik delivered perfect finishing touches with a quickfire 39* in 16 balls, with five fours and two sixes. His runs came at a strike rate of 243.75.

Australia Great's 'Kanpur' Warning To Own Team As It Prepares For India In Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Former Australian captain Brad Haddin lauded Indian skipper Rohit Sharma for being able to force out a result out of an almost unwinnable match against Bangladesh in Kanpur and backed the Men in Blue to replicate such more performances during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy away from home this year in November. In the Kanpur Test, Team India missed two days of action due to rain and wet outfield after Bangladesh ended the first day at 107/3 in the first innings.

"Rohit Needs To Be...": Ex-India Star Points Out 'Baffling' Strategy vs Bangladesh

Play on Day 1 of the second Test between India and Bangladesh was cut short to just 35 overs as heavy downpour signalled an early end to play. However, in those 35 overs, India had managed just to pick up just three Bangladesh wickets. Interestingly, India captain Rohit Sharma did not hand the ball to Ravindra Jadeja even once during Day 1, although he gave Ravichandran Ashwin nine overs. Former cricketer - now a reputed commentator - Sanjay Manjrekar pointed out a key statistic, urging Jadeja be given the ball.

Watch: Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja Mimic Jasprit Bumrah's Bowling Action; India Coach's Reaction Is Viral

Team India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate couldn't control his laughter after Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja were seen imitating pacer Jasprit Bumrah's bowling action in front of him. The incident took place after India captain Rohit Sharma opted to bowl in the second Test against Bangladesh on Friday. Before the start of the play, Ten Doeschate, the former Netherlands batter, had joined the players for the pre-match warm-up routine. However, he was reduced to splits after seeing Kohli and Jadeja's antics.

"Let India Have A Bad Game...": Bangladesh Cricketer's Bold Remark On Gautam Gambhir's 'Real Character'

Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal has shared his views on Gautam Gambhir's tenure as head coach of the Indian team thus far. Gambhir took over the reigns in July this year, replacing T20 World Cup-winning head coach Rahul Dravid. The former India opener took charge with a big reputation, having mastermined Kolkata Knight Riders' Indian Premier League triumph earlier this year. In his first Test incharge of the team, India hammered Bangladesh by 280 runs in Chennai last week. However, Tamim feels its too early to judge Gambhir.