Bangladesh's Test spin attack the strongest to tour India in the 21st century

When Bangladesh gave teenager Nayeem Hasan his Test debut against the West Indies in Chattogram during the 2018/19 series, few expected the youngster to make such an impact.

Bowling for the first time in Test cricket, Nayeem, the fourth spinner in Bangladesh's line-up, took 5-61, helping his team to a memorable win after they had posted 324. That match marked the beginning of what could have been a remarkable career for Nayeem. Nearly six years later, however, Nayeem has only played in 10 Tests, despite his impressive record of 36 wickets at an average of 27.47, including three five-wicket hauls.

Interestingly, all his matches have been on home soil, a reflection of the depth of Bangladesh's spin attack, which includes veterans Shakib Al Hasan, Taijul Islam, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Together, they form one of the most experienced and potent spin trios in world cricket today.

Prolific spin trio leads the way

Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh's most prolific Test bowler with 242 wickets at 31.31, tops the all-time chart for the country. His success in Test cricket has made him one of the most dangerous spinners to tour India in the 21st century. Alongside him, Taijul Islam has 195 wickets at 31.92, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz boasts 174 wickets at 32.72. The depth of this spin attack makes Bangladesh's contingent one of the strongest to travel to India in recent memory.

In fact, according to Wisden, Bangladesh's current spin attack ranks as the second-most prolific to tour India since the turn of the century, behind only Sri Lanka's spin unit of 2009/10, which was anchored by Muttiah Muralitharan, responsible for 783 of the team's 850 Test wickets.

A rare feat in Indian conditions

Since 2000, only seven teams have toured India with a spinner who had more Test wickets than Shakib Al Hasan. The names on that list are illustrious: Muralitharan, Shane Warne, Nathan Lyon, Rangana Herath, and Daniel Vettori. Yet, of those teams, only one – Australia in 2004/05 – managed to secure a series victory. It's a testament to just how difficult it is to win in India, no matter how strong the spin department is.

Even in Australia's victorious 2004/05 series, Warne was backed by a pace attack considered one of the greatest of all time, while the touring spinners typically struggled to contain India's formidable batting line-up. In contrast, Bangladesh's attack, with Shakib, Taijul, and Mehidy, brings a balance that many other teams lacked.

In the 2019/20 series, Bangladesh fielded a spin attack that included Mehidy, Taijul, and Nayeem, but notably, Shakib was absent. Despite this, the three spinners were able to hold their own on difficult surfaces. This time, however, Shakib's presence adds another layer of strength to the attack.

Spin comparisons across 21st-century tours of India

Comparing Bangladesh's attack to those of other teams touring India this century highlights their depth. Taijul, with his tally of 195 wickets, already surpasses the records of many second spinners on other teams. For instance, during England's 2012/13 tour, Monty Panesar was the second spinner, and he and Graeme Swann combined to wreak havoc on Indian pitches, leading England to a rare series win.

Taijul's numbers ahead of the upcoming India tour eclipse those of Panesar or Swann at the time. Similarly, Mehidy, now a seasoned campaigner, is set to play a key role. He has been Bangladesh's second spinner before and has stepped into Shakib's shoes when needed, including during the recent series win over Pakistan, where he outbowled the veteran all-rounder.

Nayeem's place in the squad offers an additional advantage. As the fourth-most prolific spinner for Bangladesh, his tally of 36 wickets exceeds the record of many third-choice spinners for teams that have toured India. Mehidy, for instance, has far more wickets than any other team's third spinner in recent memory.

Adaptability on Indian pitches

What makes Bangladesh's attack even more formidable is the adaptability of their spinners. Indian pitches, known for their turn and bounce, often favour spinners, and Bangladesh's trio is well-equipped to take advantage of such conditions. If needed, Bangladesh could opt to field all three spinners, with Shakib and Mehidy also contributing with the bat. Given that India is likely to play three spinners as well, this strategic approach could pay dividends.

Looking at the broader context, few touring sides have brought spin attacks as well-rounded as Bangladesh's in recent years. Their pace attack, which performed impressively on the tour of Pakistan, provides further balance to the squad, making Bangladesh a serious contender for success in India.

The evolving landscape of Test cricket tours

Bangladesh's upcoming tour comes at a time when Test cricket is seeing changes in its structure. UEFA, the European game's governing body, recently introduced a new league phase in the Champions League to combat predictability. Similarly, cricket's governing bodies have been making adjustments, recognising the need for more dynamic formats.

This Bangladesh team represents a shift in how teams approach tours to the subcontinent. Armed with experience, skill, and balance, Bangladesh's spinners have the potential to upset the established order and provide India with one of their toughest challenges in recent years.

In summary, whether Bangladesh fields one, two, or all three of their spinners, they are set to boast one of the most experienced spin attacks to have toured India in the past two decades. Their ability to utilise the conditions effectively will be crucial in determining the outcome of the series.