DHAKA: November 10, 2000, was a landmark day for Bangladesh cricket as they made their much-awaited Test debut in an one-off match against India.
It was a special moment but one which ended in disappointment as they suffered a comprehensive nine-wicket loss at Dhaka.
They had a poor start to their time as a Test team and it took them five years to register their first win. The term minnows seemed perennially attached to them.
Almost a decade later, Virender Sehwag was blunt about his opponents: "Bangladesh are an ordinary side. They can't beat us in Test matches. They can surprise you in ODIs but not in Tests."
It ruffled a few feathers but India went on to thrash the hosts in the two-Test series.
However, five years down the line, as Bangladesh take on India in a one-off Test, things might finally be changing. Bangladesh are setting the world on fire but they have become competitive.
As India get ready for the dawn of new era under the leadership of Virat Kohli, they will not be an easy task first up despite India having won six of the seven Tests they have played.
Bangladesh will be going into the Test on the back of a strong showing in the World Cup and their home series against Pakistan. They might have lost the two-Test series 1-0, but their they showed a resolve that has rarely been seen before, especially in fighting hard for a draw in the first Test in Khulna.
Bangladesh's biggest strength is their batting. Over the last couple of years, their batting average as a team is 33.38, which is higher than England, India, West Indies and Zimbabwe. They also have had three batsmen who have averaged over 50 in the same period - Mominul Haque (65.11), Shakib Al Hasan (57.53) and Imrul Kayes (56.80).
The return to form of Tamim Iqbal has also been a huge boost. Mahmudullah's injury might not have much impact given their batting depth. They have shown that their batsmen have the ability to score 'daddy hundreds' too, something they were missing in the past.
Former Sri Lanka batsman Chandika Hathurusingha has made Bangladesh a more aggressive team since he took over as head coach in May last year. They have been particularly competitive at home, winning won three, drawing four and losing just two of their last nine home Tests.
Though all their wins came in the whitewash of Zimbabwe, they also fought hard against New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Bangladesh also have one of the most passionate fan bases in the world and they know how to get behind their team.
India, on their part, have had some problems facing spin of late. They struggled against Moeen Ali in England and Nathan Lyon in Australia. Bangladesh are likely to go with a spin-heavy attack and India's batsmen will have to be on their toes to combat them on spin-friendly tracks.
Bangladesh have the opportunity to make a big statement against India. They are expected to lose so even a draw would be a big result for them. The pressure, therefore, is mostly on India. The fact that India has named a full-strength squad for the tour is a testament to Bangladesh's progress in international cricket.
Bangladesh are no longer weak, they are no longer walkovers, they are no longer ordinary This time even Sehwag would have to agree.
Source: Firstpost.com
BDST: 1159 HRS, JUN 09, 2015
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