India aren’t playing today, but the events in Darwin could matter a great deal to their World Test Championship (WTC) ambitions. On day one of the first Test, Bangladesh bowled Australia out for 198, with Hasan Mahmud claiming a career-best 6/55 — a result that has immediate implications for the WTC table India is trying to climb.
The day’s drama
After winning the toss and batting, Australia lost wickets in clusters. Steven Smith’s 71 was the only innings of substance; around him, Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc all fell cheaply. Mahmud finished with 6/55, backed by Ebadot Hossain (2/39) and Taskin Ahmed (2/55).
It was only the second time Bangladesh’s fast bowlers took all ten wickets in a Test innings — the first being in Rawalpindi in 2024.
Why India should be watching
India currently sit fifth in the WTC standings — behind Bangladesh in fourth and well behind table-topping Australia. That makes this series unusually relevant:
- A Bangladesh upset reshuffles the chase pack. Every point Bangladesh takes off Australia tightens the group behind the leaders — welcome news for India’s final hopes.
- Australia’s 14-Test marathon just got harder. Australia’s heavy schedule means dropped points now have a knock-on effect across the cycle.
- A form read for future fixtures. India’s own Test plans against both these sides will be informed by how they perform on Australian pitches.
The bigger picture
Australia may still be favourites to regroup — their attack of Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins remains formidable, and Bangladesh’s batting collapsed for 54 in their warm-up game. But if the Tigers’ top order can now build a lead, the WTC race could genuinely tighten.
For Indian fans, the Darwin Test has quietly become a match worth following closely.