5 Bangladeshi players who can trouble India

It could not have been a more one-sided contest. When Test cricket’s newest entrants are up against the top-ranked Test team in the world playing in home conditions, the result is perhaps a foregone conclusion. The kind of form that Virat Kohli’s young bunch is in, anything less than a resounding victory will be hard to digest for a cricket crazy country.

That said, Bangladesh have come a long way from being the minnows of Test cricket, as their recent exploits against England and New Zealand have shown. If Bangladesh can play fearless cricket against India, we will surely be in for some interesting battles in Hyderabad. Let’s take a look at some of the Bangladesh players who could prove a handful.

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#1 Tamim Iqbal

Tamim scores quickly and that can hurt India

How Bangladesh fare in Hyderabad will depend, to no small degree, on whether they are able to construct respectable totals. The onus of that task lies on their openers, and with Soumya Sarkar having to fill in at the top of the order due to an injury to Imrul Kayes, Tamim Iqbal will be even more so expected to shoulder the burden.

While the visitors have the benefit of some experience lower down the order, they lack it at the top with the exception of Tamim. The danger with Tamim is that whenever he scores, he scores quickly and that can be an invaluable asset in a Test match.

While much attention was paid to a teenage spin sensation in Bangladesh’s landmark Test win over England, it must be remembered that Tamim’s century in the first innings saved them from embarrassment and eventually set the stage for a memorable win. India will do well to get him out early.

#2 Shakib-Al-Hasan

Shakib has been in good form with both bat and ball

All eyes will be on Bangladesh’s marquee player for this one-off Test. Shakib is expected to shoulder a bulk of the responsibility whether it comes to batting, bowling or fielding and he has been in good form all around. While his brilliant double century against New Zealand failed to get them a win, it has certainly raised his stakes as a batsman by miles.

His talent was never in question, but his ability to build a large score was, and he has certainly put that to rest. While he might have only 4 Test centuries to his credit, his average of 40.67 proves that he is consistent. His slow, nagging left-arm orthodox spin can be a danger for the Indian batsmen as Ravindra Jadeja’s might be for the visitors.

He was in good form bowling against England, where he added the finishing touches to their series-leveling win. The hosts can expect him to be a thorn with both bat and ball.

#3 Mushfiqur Rahim

With nothing to lose, Mushfiqur will want to score big against India

The visitors’ captain carries a heavy burden. The pocket rocket Mushfiqur Rahim not only keeps wickets, but is also their middle order batting mainstay. Add to that the pressure of captaincy. He will be returning to the side after having missed the last Test against New Zealand.

His fighting 159 and an inspiring 359 run partnership with Shakib against New Zealand, will be fresh in memory. Despite being small-statured, the Bangladeshi skipper is known to punch above his weight, and there will surely be an interesting contest at hand if he can get his team to collectively do that against India.

Rahim has already stated that this is not a landmark Test for him or his team and that they will play like they have nothing to lose. Bangladesh can be a dangerous side when they play in such a manner and a lot will depend on how Mushfiqur shepherds his team.

#4 Mehedi Hasan Miraz

Mehedi Hasan will be up against the best Test team in the world

Stories of a teenager breaking out on to the international Test arena are extremely rare. Even more so when the said boy wonder dismisses six top quality English batsmen the first time he gets to bowl. So far, with 23 wickets from just 4 Tests, the lad has certainly sparkled. He will be tested against the best Test side in the world and that will be a contest to watch.

If the pitch does take some spin, young Mehedi Hasan Miraz might be able to put India’s famed batting line up under some pressure. The hosts didn’t exactly have to play quality spin against England and a young unknown teenager might just catch them off guard. With the experienced Shakib Al-Hasan guiding the youngster and perhaps bowling in tandem with him, the spin duo could pose problems.

#5 Taskin Ahmed

Taskin has troubled India before and can do it again

Taskin Ahmed emerged on the scene when he took a 5 wicket haul on his ODI debut against India. Although Bangladesh lost that match due to a horrendous batting display, the young fast bowler impressed with his pace and wicket taking ability.

The sight of a Bangladeshi fast bowler sending the ball ripping past batsmen and beating Indian batsmen for pace was quite exciting. With Bangladesh’s best bowler Mustafizur Rahman being rested due to lack of match fitness, Taskin will have to take on the responsibility of leading an inexperienced fast bowling lineup.

If he can generate the pace and control that he displayed during his debut, he could pose some difficult questions to the hosts’ opening batsmen.