Bangladesh vs India in 2022-23

One-day internationals (3): Bangladesh 2, India 1
Test matches (2): Bangladesh 0 (0pts), India 2 (24pts)

India's visit began against the backdrop of a nation enthralled by the football World Cup, and ended with a nailbiting Christmas Day finale, the first Test cricket on December 25 for 40 years. It was the first time since June 2015 that India - whose hectic schedule had left the players looking jaded - had visited Bangladesh for a bilateral series. A team studded with household names should have excited Bangladesh supporters. However, there was a low-key feel to the start of the tour, as events in Qatar cast a spell on a country with little footballing pedigree.

The most curious aspect was the fanatical support of Argentina, which penetrated all parts of Bangladesh society. This seemingly dates from the Maradona-inspired victory in 1986, the first World Cup widely viewed in Bangladesh. Now, Argentine flags and shirts were abundant in Dhaka and Chittagong - and the cricketers were not impervious to the trend. It raised the possibility of sleep-deprived players, since Argentina's semi-final was due to finish just hours before the start of the First Test. Bangladesh's coach, Russell Domingo, pleaded with his men: "You can't be watching football until three in the morning."

There were no Super League points at stake in the one-day internationals, but the first two were mini-classics, and the third dominated by the format's fastest double-century, by India's Ishan Kishan, who put on 290 with Virat Kohli. Even so, Bangladesh - always tough opponents in home conditions - ran out 2-1 winners in their favourite format. It was a landmark series for Mehedi Hasan, who underlined his all-round credentials, and hinted he might one day fill the boots of Shakib Al Hasan. Mehedi produced two outstanding innings, both digging his team out of a considerable hole.

The Test series was more significant, at least as far as India were concerned, with precious World Test Championship points up for grabs. By winning 2-0, they took a step closer to qualifying for the final in England in June 2023, but the manner of their victories exposed underlying frailties. An unreliable batting unit seemed dependent on ageing stars, while a tendency towards conservative strategy was put into sharp relief by England's miraculous exploits in Pakistan around the same time.

The Second Test at Mirpur, which India eventually won by three wickets, could easily have gone the other way: chasing only 145, they had slumped to 74 for seven before canny batting from Shreyas Iyer and Ravichandran Ashwin took them home. Within days, Domingo had resigned, while Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant - whose batting helped win the Second Test - was involved in a serious car accident back home, and taken to hospital.