The first Test match between India and Bangladesh was a momentous occasion, marking Bangladesh’s entry into the elite world of Test cricket. This historical encounter took place in Dhaka in November 2000, with India’s Sourav Ganguly leading the team in his first Test as captain.
Bangladesh’s journey to Test status was paved with several factors. Their triumph in the 1997 ICC Trophy earned them a spot in the 1999 ODI World Cup, where they made their mark by defeating Scotland and causing an upset by beating Pakistan in Northampton. The country had also fostered a thriving domestic cricket infrastructure, laying the foundation for Test cricket preparation. This, coupled with significant support from established Test nations like India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, who saw the expansion of cricket in South Asia as beneficial, propelled Bangladesh towards Test status.
The International Cricket Council (ICC), with its vision to globalize cricket, granted Bangladesh full Test status in 2000, making them the 10th nation to participate in this prestigious format of the game.
The first Test match witnessed debuts for several players. India saw the emergence of opener Shiv Sunder Das, wicket-keeper Saba Karim, and left-arm seamer Zaheer Khan, while Bangladesh made their Test debut with eleven players, marking a historic moment in their cricketing journey.
Bangladesh, in their inaugural Test, put up a strong fight, particularly in their first innings. Aminul Islam, the country’s first Test centurion, led the charge, helping Bangladesh reach a respectable total of 400 runs, despite a five-wicket haul by India’s Sunil Joshi. The Indian response was led by captain Ganguly’s 84 runs, but it was Sunil Joshi who emerged as the top scorer for the visitors with a crucial 92-run knock. Bangladesh’s captain, Naimur Rahman, claimed six wickets with his off-breaks, bringing the Indian total to 429 runs.
However, Bangladesh’s second innings faltered, ending on a paltry 91 runs. This left India with a victory target of 63 runs, which they achieved comfortably on the fourth day with nine wickets to spare.
The India-Bangladesh rivalry has seen its share of memorable moments, including their first Day/Night Test in Kolkata in 2019. Over the years, these two teams have locked horns in 13 Test matches, with India emerging victorious on 11 occasions and two Tests ending in draws. Despite their valiant efforts, Bangladesh has yet to secure a Test victory over India.
