India comfortably won the home Test series against Bangladesh by winning both Tests. After the Indian captain Rohit Sharma received the Test series trophy, he handed over the trophy to his teammates. 

In the two-match home Test series against Bangladesh, India mostly dominated. While the hosts won the Test series opener by 280 runs at Chennai, they won the second Test at Kanpur by seven wickets to complete the series with a 2-0 win. 

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India claimed a stunning win at Kanpur

The Kanpur Test victory was very special for the Indian team, as the match result apart from a draw was unlikely at the end of the third day. After Indian captain Rohit Sharma sent Bangladesh to bat first, the opening day ended with the visitors’ score of 107/3. The next two days had no game due to rain and wet outfield.

On the fourth day, India bowled out Bangladesh for 233 runs and then aggressively batted to score 285/9 in just 34.4 overs before the declaration. At the stumps of the fourth day, the visitors were battling at 26/2. 

On the last day of the Test match, India bundled out the visitors for only 146 runs. India had a 95-run target in the fourth innings, which the hosts achieved in the 17.2 overs to secure a seven-wicket win. 

India celebrated in the presentation ceremony

Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal won the Player of the Match award in the Kanpur Test for scoring two half-centuries (72 and 51). Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin, who won the Player of the Match award in the Chennai Test for a century and six-fer, won the Players of the Series award for scoring 114 runs and taking 11 wickets in the series. 

In the presentation ceremony, Indian captain Rohit Sharma received the Test series trophy. Soon, he reached out to his teammates and handed over the trophy. Seniors and newcomers both enjoyed that celebration. Akash Deep was very excited in that celebration as he was lifting the trophy.  

Captain Rohit Sharma handing the trophy to Akash Deep.🏆👌🏻

Boss Rohit Sharma, always there for youngsters @ImRo45 🐐🙇🏼‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/s65bziUalv

— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) October 1, 2024

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly isn’t worried about the right-arm fast bowler Mohammed Shami’s absence for the upcoming first Test against Bangladesh. He also praised another Bengal pacer Akash Deep.

Last Sunday (September 8), the men’s national selection committee chose the 16-member Indian squad for the first Test of the two-match Test series against Bangladesh at Chennai. This Test series will be a part of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship, which will begin on September 19. 

Although it was expected that Mohammed Shami could return to the national squad for the Chennai Test after recovering from the injury, the selectors have decided to give him more time in the recovery process.

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly isn’t worried about Shami’s injury. He feels that Shami will be more important for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. 

Ganguly said, according to the PTI, “I know Mohammed Shami is missing because of injury, but he will be back very soon since India is going to Australia. It’s still a very good attack.”

Akash Deep is one to watch out for: Sourav Ganguly

For the upcoming Chennai Test, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are ready in the Indian pace-bowling line-up along with Akash Deep and the uncapped left-arm pacer Yash Dayal.

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Ganguly highly praised the 27-year-old right-arm pacer Akash Deep. The former Indian captain believes that he is one to watch out for.  

Ganguly said, “Akash Deep is an outstanding young fast bowler. He runs in, bowls quick, and will bowl for long periods. I’ve seen him play for Bengal, taking wickets. He will be as quick as Siraj and Shami, hitting high 140s. He is one to watch out for.”

In his 32 first-class matches, Akash Deep took 116 wickets. He also picked up 42 wickets in 28 List A games, and 49 wickets in 42 T20s. During the Ranchi Test against England last February, he made his Test debut and picked up three wickets. He is also a handy right-handed batter.  

During the Duleep Trophy 2024/25 first round, India A cricketer Akash Deep took nine wickets (4/60 and 5/56) and scored 11 and fighting 43 runs. However, they still suffered a defeat against India B. 

India are a very good team: Sourav Ganguly

Talking about the upcoming Chennai Test, the former Indian captain talked about the strong Indian spin-bowling line-up.  

Ganguly said, “In India, you will see a lot more spin. In Chennai, you will see a lot more bounce. Ashwin, Jadeja, Axar, and Kuldeep are the four best spinners in the world at the moment — it won’t be easy. When you play in India, spinners have a lot more say in the game. But India are a very good team.”

Sourav Ganguly talked about upcoming Australia and England tour

Later this year, India will tour Australia for a five-match Test series (Border-Gavaskar Trophy). In mid-2025, India will tour England for another five-match Test series. Ganguly feels that these two away Test series will be the real test for the Indian cricket team. 

Ganguly said, “I am looking forward to their tour to Australia; that, for me, will be the real test for the squad. Then, when they tour England in July, these are the two most important tours, to be honest. I think the pace bowling department, with Bumrah and Siraj, and once Shami comes back, will be strong.”

Team India have started their fourth Test against England at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi on Friday 23. England won the toss and opted to bat first. For India, pace bowler Akash Deep made her debut and left a mark already.

Akash Deep started well with the ball

He bowled a lovely delivery to dismiss Zak Crawley in the 4th over of the game. It nipped back from a length around off and went past Crawley’s inside edge, sending the off-stump cart-wheeling. As soon as everyone started celebrating, the siren indicated that it was a front-foot no-ball. Thus, the speedster failed to claim his maiden wicket early.

SEE ALSO: IND vs ENG: “There Are Cracks”: Vikram Rathour Gives Honest Review Of Pitch For Ranchi Test

India will try to win the Test

However, at the toss, Rohit Sharma said, “We would have batted first as well. Looks a bit dry and has some cracks, but that’s the nature of the pitch here. The last two games were good for us and we’ll have to play in the same way. Proud of a lot of young guys in the squad, they’ve taken the responsibility and have taken the challenge head-on. They are confident in their skills, moving forward it’s a good thing. One change with Akash Deep making his debut.”