Who benefited from the First Test match between India and Bangladesh?

Category :Cricket

As the cricket series between India and Bangladesh came to an end, we take a look back at the one off Test played between the two nations. The Test (and even the ODI series) was played at a time when there were rains all around almost all the time.

The first Test match between India and Bangladesh would come to a tame draw was always written large by the weather Gods. It was the only one Test that was going to be played by these two teams where India is travelling to Bangladesh.

India and Bangladesh slowly tread a very tiresome Test match for no result. Now, why this is tiresome is because everyone has lost interest in the game, at least I feel so. It is only a matter of time before the match comes to an end officially on the last day of the game on Sunday.

There were rains disrupting each and every day of the match since it started five days back. On the first day only 56 overs were possible. The second day was entirely washed out with not a single ball being bowled.

India batted the entire third day as well – probably to make sure Bangladesh does not bat them out – where the play was possible of less than 50 overs.

With an overnight declaration, Bangladesh started batting only on the fourth day of the match. By the end of the day, the hosts had scored 113 runs in 30.1 overs losing three wickets in between.

Rain washed out the entire morning session of the fifth day as well. With each day being curtailed like that and that too in a one off Test, what message is being sent across? Who has really benefited from this Test match?

Well, no one can control Mother Nature. If rains were to come, they would. But, if ICC is indeed looking to retain the status of the Test matches as the ultimate in cricket and attract fans and spectators, such a Test isn’t really sending out the correct message.

How about making up for lost time by some other means? There were talks of holding Tests under lights. So, that could have been a good option as well, of course, weather permitting. Or why not keep the office hours for cricketers from 9 am to 9 pm?

This means, if ICC would allow playing cricket under the lights and the ground is dry enough for the play to resume after rains on a particular day, the rest of the overs could be bowled in floodlights. This would allow the entire 90 overs of a full Test match day.

There are some great memories in Test cricket history and they can certainly prove to be an inspiration for the coming generation.