India tackle Bangladesh in a one-off Test as they prepare for the visit of Australia to the Sub-Continent.
India will host Bangladesh for the very first time in Test
cricket, when their standalone clash gets underway in Hyderabad on Thursday, 9
February 2017.
cricket, when their standalone clash gets underway in Hyderabad on Thursday, 9
February 2017.
We all know what to expect from Virat Kohli and company in the
Indian ranks, but it is the Tigers who could throw up a few surprises.
Indian ranks, but it is the Tigers who could throw up a few surprises.
India v Bangladesh | Thursday, 9 Feb – Monday, 13 Feb | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad |
09:30
09:30
To Win Match
India 1/8 | Draw 13/2 | Bangladesh 16/1
India
India are not number one in Test cricket for nothing – and
haven’t lost a Test at home in their last 19 matches.
haven’t lost a Test at home in their last 19 matches.
Under the leadership of Kohli, India have become sharper in
the field – and more clinical with both bat and ball. Their XI, indeed,
features a host of talented individuals.
the field – and more clinical with both bat and ball. Their XI, indeed,
features a host of talented individuals.
The only real area of concern for the Indian juggernaut over
the last few months has revolved around their opening pair, with injuries and
poor form hounding their frontline batsmen.
the last few months has revolved around their opening pair, with injuries and
poor form hounding their frontline batsmen.
India are likely to open the batting with Lokesh Rahul – and
either recalled batsman Abhinav Mukund, who hasn’t played Test cricket since
the 2011 tour of England, or Murali Vijay, who has recovered from the shoulder
injury he suffered during the England series.
either recalled batsman Abhinav Mukund, who hasn’t played Test cricket since
the 2011 tour of England, or Murali Vijay, who has recovered from the shoulder
injury he suffered during the England series.
The middle order looks incredibly solid, though, with the
reliable Cheteshwar Pujara coming in at first-drop ahead, of Kohli and Ajinkya
Rahane, who has gathered over 2,000 runs at an average of 47.88 in his 32 Tests
to date. In terms of middle-order bench strength, India are blessed to have
Karun Nair, who scored a triple-ton in his last Test, in reserve.
reliable Cheteshwar Pujara coming in at first-drop ahead, of Kohli and Ajinkya
Rahane, who has gathered over 2,000 runs at an average of 47.88 in his 32 Tests
to date. In terms of middle-order bench strength, India are blessed to have
Karun Nair, who scored a triple-ton in his last Test, in reserve.
Kohli’s men will have to do without regular pace spearhead
Mohammed Shami, but have Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav to soften the ball up
for the spinners. India’s great strength is their spin bowling, of course, with
Ravichandran Ashwin heading the ICC Test bowling rankings and Ravindra Jadeja
second. The hosts can also call on Jayant Yadav, who was impressive against
England – and
Mohammed Shami, but have Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav to soften the ball up
for the spinners. India’s great strength is their spin bowling, of course, with
Ravichandran Ashwin heading the ICC Test bowling rankings and Ravindra Jadeja
second. The hosts can also call on Jayant Yadav, who was impressive against
England – and
uncapped left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav.
India are a well drilled unit that will prove incredibly
tough to beat, at home.
tough to beat, at home.
Bangladesh
The Tigers were tamed on their recent tour of New Zealand,
losing all eight international matches on their visit to the Land of the Long White
Cloud.
losing all eight international matches on their visit to the Land of the Long White
Cloud.
This came after a creditable drawn series with England,
where they achieved their maiden Test victory over the game’s originators.
where they achieved their maiden Test victory over the game’s originators.
Bangladesh will be hoping a return to sub-continental
conditions will also see them be more competitive than they were for much of
the tour to New Zealand.
conditions will also see them be more competitive than they were for much of
the tour to New Zealand.
They will take great heart from some of the batting
performances they put together in New Zealand, particularly Shakib Al Hasan’s
double-century – and his massive partnership of 359 with skipper Mushfiqur Rahim.
performances they put together in New Zealand, particularly Shakib Al Hasan’s
double-century – and his massive partnership of 359 with skipper Mushfiqur Rahim.
Bangladesh suffered an injury blow in their warm-up match
with India A, when opener Imrul Kayes aggravated an existing thigh injury,
which has now ruled him out of the Test. The man likely to replace him is the
in-form Soumya Sarkar, who made 86 on Test debut – and cracked a half-century
against India A from first-drop.
with India A, when opener Imrul Kayes aggravated an existing thigh injury,
which has now ruled him out of the Test. The man likely to replace him is the
in-form Soumya Sarkar, who made 86 on Test debut – and cracked a half-century
against India A from first-drop.
Bangladesh’s quicker bowlers are working closely with West
Indies pace legend Courtney Walsh, but Kamrul Islam Rabbi and Taskin Ahmed are
likely to be reduced to a support role behind the spinners.
Indies pace legend Courtney Walsh, but Kamrul Islam Rabbi and Taskin Ahmed are
likely to be reduced to a support role behind the spinners.
Mehedi Hasan put in a match-winning performance against
England on debut, before struggling a little in New Zealand. He could prove to
be a handful in Indian conditions – and is sure to test the India batsmen’s
ability against quality spin. He will be backed up by experienced all-rounder
Shakib – and left-arm spinner Taijul Islam.
England on debut, before struggling a little in New Zealand. He could prove to
be a handful in Indian conditions – and is sure to test the India batsmen’s
ability against quality spin. He will be backed up by experienced all-rounder
Shakib – and left-arm spinner Taijul Islam.
Bangladesh have improved tremendously in the last two years
– and could spring a surprise or two, but it is hard to see how they could beat
the number one side in the world.
– and could spring a surprise or two, but it is hard to see how they could beat
the number one side in the world.
Verdict: India 1/8
India have the stronger of the two batting line-ups – and
they have the bowling attack to bowl any opponent out twice on their own patch.
they have the bowling attack to bowl any opponent out twice on their own patch.
There are too many world beaters in the India side for them
to slip to defeat. They have shown, throughout this season, they can absorb
pressure and – above all else – they are ruthless in the way they seize
opportunities to put the game away.
to slip to defeat. They have shown, throughout this season, they can absorb
pressure and – above all else – they are ruthless in the way they seize
opportunities to put the game away.
We fancy this one will go five days, but we see India
clinching it – and continuing their unbeaten run at home against a team they
have never lost to.
clinching it – and continuing their unbeaten run at home against a team they
have never lost to.
Value bet: A Hundred to be Scored in the first innings 6/10
In the last Test played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, both Vijay and Pujara got to three figures, with the latter going to a double-ton. With quality players of spin in both teams, it is no stretch to believe that we are going to see at least one player ton up, in the first knock, in Hyderabad.
Written by Jonhenry Wilson for @Hollywoodbets.net
