The much-anticipated two-match Test series between India and Bangladesh is set to commence on September 19th at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This series marks the beginning of a grueling Test season for India, with ten red-ball matches scheduled over the next five months. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, the Indian team will be aiming to strengthen their position for the World Test Championship (WTC) final next year. But beyond the overall championship ambitions, the upcoming two weeks present a plethora of exciting individual and team milestones.
1. More Wins Than Losses for India:
India currently boasts 178 wins and an equal number of losses in Test cricket. A victory in the first Test, or a draw followed by a win in the second, would mark a historic moment for India, as it would be the first time they have more victories than defeats in their Test history. Winning the Test series would mean that for the first time ever, since their inaugural Test at Lord’s in 1932, India would have more wins than losses in this format.2. Virat Kohli’s 9,000 Test Runs:
The legendary Virat Kohli is only 152 runs away from reaching the coveted 9,000 Test runs milestone. Achieving this would place him amongst an elite group of Indian batters, joining the likes of Sachin Tendulkar (15,921), Rahul Dravid (13,265), and Sunil Gavaskar (10,122).3. Kohli’s Fast Track to 27,000 International Runs:
Kohli needs just 58 runs to reach the monumental mark of 27,000 international runs. If he achieves this, he will become the fastest player to reach this milestone, surpassing even Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 27,000 runs in 623 innings. Kohli has currently played 591 innings in international cricket.4. Mushfiqur Rahim Breaches 6,000 Test Runs:
The veteran Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter, Mushfiqur Rahim, is just 108 runs shy of reaching 6,000 Test runs. If he achieves this milestone, he will become the first ever Bangladeshi batter to achieve this remarkable feat.5. Jadeja Enters Elite List:
Ravindra Jadeja, India’s star all-rounder, is on the verge of a significant achievement. He needs just six more wickets to reach the 300 Test wicket mark. This achievement would make him the seventh Indian bowler to achieve this milestone and the 11th player overall to amass 300 wickets and 3,000 runs in Test cricket. He would join an elite group that includes his fellow Indian, R Ashwin, and the legendary Kapil Dev.6. Taijul Islam Nears 200 Scalps:
Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam is just five wickets away from becoming only the second Bangladeshi bowler, after Shakib Al Hasan (245), to claim 200 Test wickets.7. Bangladesh Seeks Historic First Win Over India:
If Bangladesh manages to win either of the Tests, it will be a historical moment, as it would mark their first-ever victory over India in Test cricket. In the 13 matches played between the two teams, Bangladesh has suffered 11 losses and managed two draws.The India vs Bangladesh Test series promises to be a captivating spectacle, filled with exciting individual milestones and potential historical achievements. Keep an eye out for these key moments as the series unfolds.