New Delhi: Having not lost a home Test series in the last 12 years, India take on Bangladesh as overwhelming favourites in the 2-Test series starting in Chennai on September 19, Thursday. Many have tried but none have managed to defeat India in India since England did the unthinkable in 2012 under the leadership of Alastair Cook, whose team pulled off something that has become increasingly impossible over the years.
The unexpected loss triggered an unprecedented run of 17 straight Test victories at home that stretches back to 2013 and runs till India’s most recent 4-1 success at home against England earlier this year.
To put this remarkable run in simpler terms, there has never been a home team so dominant in cricket’s history than India.
Against Bangladesh, India will aim to extend their home dominance under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, who is not focused on the opponent.
“Every team wants to beat India. They take some pride in it. Let them have fun. Our job is to think about how to win the matches. We don’t ponder about what the opponent team is thinking about us,” said Rohit in the pre-match press meet in Chennai on Tuesday.
Rohit also said that the team doesn’t need to devise any special strategy for Bangladesh, who are brimming with confidence after a landmark series win over Pakistan. The Bangla Tigers scripted history by clean sweeping Pakistan in Pakistan to register their maiden Test and series win over their much-fancied neighbours.
While India is no Pakistan, Bangladesh is no Bangladesh (of the old).
How Pakistan factor could help Bangladesh?
While it can be argued that Pakistan are not going through the best of times, facing Bangladesh at home, was seen as a pivotal point in reversing their fortunes. The loss against newcomers USA in the T20 World Cup was seen as a historic low and the victory against their neighbours could have started a fresh chapter under the new coaching regime ahead of a busy season.
But who would have thought that Pakistan cricket would plunge to an unimaginable low, losing at home to a side that has never beaten them in red-ball cricket?
Yes, Pakistan played poor cricket but it was not the sole reason for their loss. Bangladesh were simply better than them in decisive moments. Credit must go to Bangladesh, who capitalised on the opportunities presented in front of them and preyed on the vulnerability of the Pakistanis, showing a big-team mentality to subdue their opponents.
The notion of a fluke victory was busted with an even more impressive win in the second Test as four days were enough for the ‘Bangla Tigers’ to get the better of a much-fancied side.
Unlike before, Bangladesh’s performance against Pakistan was filled with confidence, belief and a winning mentality and the victory was a message to the other nations. By winning against Pakistan, Bangladesh also overcame the fear of competing against big teams. Bangladesh’s new-found belief could help them script more Test history against another unconquered opponent.
Ahead of the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup 2024 in the Americas, Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto confidently remarked: “There are no big teams or big names”.
His team walked the talk two months later with a landmark win in Pakistan.
Self-belief is crucial for success, and Bangladesh, at present, possesses it in abundance.
Team India, beware!
IND vs BAN: While India is no Pakistan, Bangladesh’s new-found belief could help them script more Test history against another unconquered opponent. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
