On September 19, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, India and Bangladesh will face off in the 1st Test of their two-match series, their first encounter in the longest format in almost two years. Historically, India has dominated Bangladesh in Test cricket, having never lost a match against them. However, Bangladesh has made significant strides recently, most notably defeating Pakistan in a two-match Test series in Pakistan. This signals that India cannot afford to underestimate their opponents.
Bangladesh’s spinners, in particular, pose a real threat on Chennai’s spinfriendly pitch. Yet, facing India’s formidable spin attack—likely to include Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel—will be a formidable challenge for Bangladesh’s batters. Despite their improved form and resilience, India’s overall bowling lineup, including the pace threat of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj, makes Bangladesh’s task difficult.
While Bangladesh may have the potential to upset, the gap in quality between the two sides remains significant, and India will be expected to dominate. But as cricket is known for its unpredictability, we will have to wait and see if Bangladesh can pull off a surprise or if India continues its winning streak in Test matches against them.
Match Information
| Fixture | India vs Bangladesh, 1st Test |
| Venue | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| Date & Time | September 19, 2024, 9:00 AM |
| Broadcast | Sports 18 Network, JioCinema app |
India vs Bangladesh: Head to Head in Tests
In the 13 Tests played between these teams, India has emerged victorious 11 times, with two matches ending in a draw. Bangladesh is yet to register a win in this format against India.
| Total Matches | India Wins | Bangladesh Wins | Draws |
| 13 | 11 | 0 | 2 |
Pitch Report: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
The MA Chidambaram Stadium pitch is expected to be a red soil surface, which typically offers good bounce and carry, making fast bowlers crucial, especially in the match’s early stages. As the game progresses, the hot Chennai weather may introduce reverse swing into play, and from day three onward, the spinners are likely to dominate as the pitch begins to deteriorate. In essence, this wicket is likely to offer a fair contest between bat and ball.
Weather Forecast
The weather forecast for the match predicts temperatures around 34°C on Day 1, with a 41% chance of rain and thunderstorms potentially disrupting play on Day 2. The remaining days are expected to be clearer, with temperatures hovering between 33°C and 36°C, and a lower chance of rain. Day 3 may also see some cloud cover, while Days 4 and 5 are expected to be relatively clear.
India’s Probable Playing XI
- Rohit Sharma (c)
- Rishabh Pant (wk)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Virat Kohli
- KL Rahul
- Axar Patel
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammad Siraj
Bangladesh’s Probable Playing XI
- Najmul Hossain Shanto (c)
- Litton Das (wk)
- Shadman Islam
- Zakir Hasan
- Mominul Haque
- Mushfiqur Rahim
- Shakib Al Hasan
- Mehidy Hasan Miraz
- Taijul Islam
- Taskin Ahmed
- Nahid Rana
Match Prediction: India vs Bangladesh, 1st Test
The Test history between these teams heavily favors India. With India ranked 2nd in the ICC Test rankings and Bangladesh at 9th, India holds the upper hand. Furthermore, playing in Chennai gives India a home advantage. According to win predictors, India has an 83% chance of winning this match, while Bangladesh’s chances stand at just 7%, with a 10% probability of a draw. India is the clear favorite, but Bangladesh will be looking to cause an upset in what promises to be a hard-fought contest.
India and Bangladesh Full Strength Squad for Test Series
| India | Bangladesh |
| Rohit Sharma (c) | Najmul Hossain Shanto (c) |
| Akash Deep | Hasan Mahmud |
| Ravichandran Ashwin | Jaker Ali |
| Jasprit Bumrah | Khaled Ahmed |
| Ravindra Jadeja | Litton Das |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | Mahmudul Hasan Joy |
| Dhruv Jurel | Mehidy Hasan Miraz |
| Sarfaraz Khan | Mominul Haque |
| Virat Kohli | Mushfiqur Rahim |
| Kuldeep Yadav | Nahid Rana |
| Mohammed Siraj | Nayeem Hasan |
| Rishabh Pant | Shadman Islam |
| Axar Patel | Shakib Al Hasan |
| KL Rahul | Taijul Islam |
| Shubman Gill | Taskin Ahmed |
| Yash Dayal | Zakir Hasan |