Series Overview and Key Performances
India entered the series as the favorites, entering with a balanced squad of experienced players and youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan. Bangladesh, on the other hand, aimed to challenge India with their experienced players like Mominul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, and Mushfiqur Rahim. Bangladesh’s confidence was high after winning the series 2-0 against Pakistan. However, the visitors struggled to counter India’s well-rounded approach.
India vs Bangladesh 2024: 1st Test Analysis
In the first Test, India got a comfortable victory, due to the effectiveness of their bowling attack led by Jasprit Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja. Batting contributions from Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill provided India the foundation to take an early lead in the series. This set the stage for a thrilling and historic second Test.
Match Overview
- India 1st Innings: Scored 376, led by Ashwin’s 113 and Jadeja’s 86. Bangladesh’s Hasan Mahmud picked up five wickets, giving his team hope early on.
- Bangladesh 1st Innings: They struggled, getting bowled out for 149, with only Najmul Hossain Shanto scoring a resilient 82. Bumrah’s pace took four crucial wickets, putting India in the driver’s seat.
- India’s 2nd Innings: India declared at 287/4, with aggressive knocks from Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant to set a steep target.
- Bangladesh’s 2nd Innings: Although they showed more fight, scoring 234, Ashwin’s brilliance ensured Bangladesh couldn’t avoid a heavy defeat.
This Test underlined India’s preparation for challenging conditions. Players like Pant, returning after injury, and Bumrah highlighted their adaptability and skill. The series now moves to Kanpur, with Bangladesh hoping to rebound from the defeat and put up a stronger show.
The Second Test: A Record-Breaking Encounter in Kanpur
The second Test in Kanpur proved to be the highlight of the series. Despite nearly three days of play lost to rain, India managed to get a victory with a combination of blistering batting and precise bowling. Their approach in this match broke multiple records and set new benchmarks in Test cricket.
No one has imagined a test match getting a result after three days got washed out. India proved their skillset in this test. They played fearless cricket and made an impact in the 1st innings and put Bangladesh under pressure. They adopted the Bazball approach and got success.
India’s Bazball First Innings
In response to Bangladesh’s modest first-innings score of 233, India countered with an aggressive batting display. Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal led the charge with a quick 72 off just 51 balls, followed by some valuable knocks from KL Rahul (68 off 43) and Virat Kohli (47 off 35). Team India put up a total of 285 runs in just 34.4 overs, they achieved a world-record run rate of 7.36 in a Test innings.
This aggressive strategy marked a significant shift in India’s Test batting approach. They prioritized quick scoring to compensate for the days lost due to rain. India’s performance surpassed South Africa’s previous record of 6.80 runs per over, set in 2005 against Zimbabwe.
Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja Shine with the Ball
India’s bowlers were also as effective as their batters. In the first innings, Jasprit Bumrah picked up three crucial wickets, ensuring that Bangladesh were restricted to 233 runs. Akash Deep, the emerging pacer from India, chipped in with two wickets, highlighting India’s fast-bowling depth. Ashwin and Jadeja also made valuable contributions, setting up India’s position of dominance.
In Bangladesh’s second innings, Bumrah continued his sublime form, while Jadeja and Ashwin tightened the noose. Bangladesh was bowled out for just 146 runs, with opener Shadman Islam’s 50 being the only notable score. Ravindra Jadeja’s all-round performance was on display, as he picked up crucial wickets and became the second-fastest player to complete 3,000 runs and 300 wickets in Test cricket. He is one of the best all-rounders in modern-day cricket.
Ashwin Equals Muralitharan’s Player of the Series Record
Ravichandran Ashwin’s performance across the series earned him the Player of the Series award. This award marked his 11th Player of the Series award, equaling the legendary Muttiah Muralitharan’s record for the most Player of the Series titles in Test cricket.
Bangladesh’s Struggles and Brief Moments of Brilliance
While Bangladesh had moments of brilliance—like Mominul Haque’s brilliant 107 in the second Test is first innings—their batting lineup struggled to handle India’s disciplined bowling attack. Senior players such as Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim failed to make a significant impact, leaving Bangladesh vulnerable throughout the series.
Bangladesh’s bowling also lacked consistency. Although Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shakib managed to take four wickets each in India’s first innings in Kanpur, they were unable to stem the flow of runs. This inability to sustain pressure allowed India to dictate the pace of the game.
Takeaways from the Series
- India’s New Test Approach
- India’s aggressive batting, exemplified by their world-record run rate, highlighted a shift in their Test strategy. With limited time to force a result due to rain, India’s batters took calculated risks that paid off handsomely.
- Bumrah and Jadeja’s Impact
Bumrah reaffirmed his status as one of the world’s premier fast bowlers, while Jadeja’s all-round brilliance continues to be a vital asset for India. Their performances were crucial in securing India’s series win.
- Bangladesh’s Room for Improvement
Bangladesh’s lack of consistency across departments was evident. While they showed glimpses of quality—especially through Mominul Haque’s century—they struggled to maintain momentum against a strong Indian side.
- Ashwin’s Legacy
With yet another Player of the Series award, Ashwin has cemented his place among Test cricket’s greats. His achievements continue to inspire a new generation of spinners.
A Series to Remember
The 2024 India vs Bangladesh Test series will be remembered not only for India’s emphatic victories but also for their bold and innovative approach to Test cricket. With aggressive batting, disciplined bowling, and individual milestones achieved, the series underscored India’s growing stature as a dominant force in the longest format of the game. Bangladesh, despite their struggles, will look to learn from this experience as they prepare for future challenges.
This series also offered fans a glimpse into the future of Test cricket, where aggression and adaptability may become essential strategies to achieve results. As India continues to experiment with new styles of play, their success in this series will serve as a blueprint for the coming years. All the teams are now adopting the aggressive approach in Test Cricket. India’s performance will increase the confidence of others as well.
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