Heading into the two Tests in Darwin and Galle, Bangladesh were in fourth position on the World Test Championship (WTC) table, one place above India, but it was largely considered a statistical quirk. After all, they had played just four games – losing 0-1 in a two-Test series in Sri Lanka, and beating Pakistan 2-0 at home. They were expected to face sterner Tests when they travelled away from the subcontinent.
India had garnered positive vibes from the 2-2 draw in England before thrashing the West Indies 2-0 at home. But the balloon was pricked by a 0-2 reversal at home to South Africa.
The two Tests in Sri Lanka were touted as the first step towards qualifying for the WTC title clash next year.