NEW DELHI: With India and
Bangladesh
set to play the first Test of a two-match series in Chennai from September 19, here's a recap of a historic occasion when 11
Bangladesh cricketers
made their
Test debuts
against India.
Bangladesh's title victory in the 1997 ICC Trophy, enabled them to qualify for the 1999 ODI World Cup and in their opening match, Bangladesh defeated Scotland.
Later in the tournament, Bangladesh stunned Pakistan by winning at Northampton by 62 runs on May 31.
Bangladesh had developed a growing domestic cricket infrastructure, including first-class cricket, which was essential for the nurturing of talent and preparation for
Test cricket
.
Bangladesh also received significant backing from other Test-playing nations, particularly India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, who saw the promotion of cricket in Bangladesh as beneficial for the sport's growth in South Asia.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) was keen on expanding the reach of cricket and promoting the game in new regions. Granting Bangladesh Test status was part of this broader vision to globalize the sport. These factors combined led to the ICC granting Bangladesh full Test status, making them the 10th nation to play Test cricket.
Bangladesh hosted India for their maiden Test match and it was also
Sourav Ganguly
's first Test as Indian captain and at 28 years, 125 days, the elegant left-hander became the eighth youngest Indian captain in November 2000.
Opener
Shiv Sunder Das
, wicket-keeper
Saba Karim
and left-arm seamer
Zaheer Khan
also made their Test debuts for India in that match.
Bangladesh gave a good account of themselves in their maiden Test match, at least in the first innings. Aminul Islam became the country's first Test centurion to help the hosts pile up 400, despite a five-wicket haul by
Sunil Joshi
.
The Indian fightback was led by captain Ganguly who struck 84, but it was Sunil Joshi who top scored for the visitors with a 92-run knock.
Bangladesh captain Naimur Rahman took six wickets with his off-breaks as India responded with 429.
But Bangladesh were skittled out for 91 runs in their second innings to leave India with a victory target of 63, which the visitors achieved with 9 wickets in hand on the fourth day of the Test match.
India and Bangladesh also played their first Day/Night Test match - in Kolkata in November 2019.
India and Bangladesh have till now played 13 Test matches against each other with India emerging victorious on 11 occasions and two Tests ending in draws. Bangladesh have never defeated India in a Test match.
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