Bangladesh recently completed a historic clean sweep of Pakistan in an away Test series and will be high on confidence when they tour India next.
The Indian cricket team will begin their international season after a rare break with a two-match Test series against Bangladesh at home set to get underway from September 19. The two teams have squared off in eight Test series thus far with India winning seven while one ending in a draw. Bangladesh have never beaten India in the format but thanks to their triumph in Pakistan, they will be confident to give their hosts a tough fight this time around.
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And that is exactly what former India captain Sourav Ganguly has predicted even though he thinks Rohit Sharma and Co to win the two-match series. “Going to Pakistan and beating them is never easy, so congratulations to the (Bangladesh) players. But India will be a different kettle of fish; India, whether at home or away, are a fantastic side with a very strong batting unit,” Ganguly said during an event.
This will be the third time in their history that Bangladesh are touring India for a Test series. Their previous two sojourns resulted in 0-1 (2016-17) and 0-2 (2019-20) series defeats and while Ganguly thinks the home team to maintain their blemish-free record, he does concede that the Najmul Hossain Shanto-led side to come out all guns blazing.
“I don’t see Bangladesh winning; India will win the series. But India must expect good and tough cricket from Bangladesh because they are coming into the series with a lot of confidence after beating Pakistan in Pakistan,” Ganguly said.
The Test series will see plenty of India regulars in action with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah making his return to international cricket after a long break. Bumrah was last seen in action at the 2024 T20 World Cup which India won by beating South Africa in the final. The series will also mark the return of Rishabh Pant to Test cricket who earlier this year made his T20I return at the world cup after having missed over a year of cricket while recovering from a car accident.
The two matches are part of the ICC World Test Championship currently being led by India. Bangladesh are fourth in the standings after their series triumph in Pakistan.
