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India A and Bangladesh A have built a useful developmental rivalry over the years, with their matches providing a bridge between domestic cricket and the senior international level. Unlike full international fixtures, A-team matches are designed to give emerging players, returning internationals and high-performing domestic cricketers opportunities to test themselves against strong opposition.
The rivalry has included unofficial ODIs, first-class matches and games in regional development tournaments. Some encounters have featured established international names such as Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, Shreyas Iyer and Ravindra Jadeja, while others have helped introduce players who later became important figures for India or Bangladesh.
The most prominent bilateral series came in 2015, when India A hosted Bangladesh A for three one-day matches and a three-day first-class game. India A won the one-day series 2-1 and later won the first-class contest by an innings and 32 runs.
Match Timeline
The history between the two A sides is not as extensive as their senior international rivalry, but several encounters stand out.
| Year | Match/Event | Format | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 1st unofficial ODI, Bengaluru | List A | India A won by 96 runs |
| 2015 | 2nd unofficial ODI, Bengaluru | List A | Bangladesh A won by 65 runs |
| 2015 | 3rd unofficial ODI, Bengaluru | List A | India A won by 75 runs, D/L |
| 2015 | India A vs Bangladesh A, Bengaluru | First-class | India A won by an innings and 32 runs |
| 2022 | 1st unofficial Test, Cox’s Bazar | First-class | India A vs Bangladesh A |
| 2022 | 2nd unofficial Test, Sylhet | First-class | India A vs Bangladesh A |
The 2015 series is the clearest bilateral limited-overs chapter between the sides. The two first-class matches in the 2015 and 2022 periods added another dimension, giving players experience in longer-form cricket.
2015: The First Major Bilateral Series
September 16, 2015: India A Win the Opening ODI
The 2015 Bangladesh A tour of India began with three one-day matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The BCCI’s schedule confirmed the three matches for September 16, 18 and 20.
India A won the opening match by 96 runs.
The hosts scored 322/7, establishing a demanding target. Bangladesh A were eventually dismissed for 226 in 42.3 overs.
The result immediately put India A ahead in the three-match series. More importantly, the match showed the purpose of A-team cricket: several players involved had senior international ambitions, while the game provided a competitive environment without the pressure of a full international fixture.
September 18, 2015: Bangladesh A Level the Series
Bangladesh A responded strongly in the second match.
They scored 252/8 and then bowled India A out for 187, winning by 65 runs.
The standout performance came from Nasir Hossain.
He scored an unbeaten 102 from 96 balls and then returned with the ball to take 5/36. His all-round performance effectively decided the match. Rubel Hossain also made an important contribution with four wickets.
The victory meant the three-match series would be decided in the final game.
September 20, 2015: India A Win the Series
The third unofficial ODI became the series decider.
India A batted first and scored 297/6 from 50 overs. Suresh Raina produced a century, scoring 104 from 94 deliveries, while Sanju Samson made 90. Their partnership gave India A control of the match and created a substantial target.
Bangladesh A struggled during the chase.
The visitors reached 141/6 after 32 overs when rain stopped play. With the match unable to resume, India A were declared winners by 75 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis method.
The result gave India A a 2-1 series victory.
The final match also showcased several future international-level players. Suresh Raina’s century provided the headline performance, while Sanju Samson’s 90 supplied crucial support. On the bowling side, S Aravind and Kuldeep Yadav each took two wickets.
2015: The First-Class Match
The Bangladesh A tour continued beyond the one-day series.
Bangladesh A played Karnataka in Mysore before facing India A in a three-day first-class match in Bengaluru. The BCCI’s original itinerary listed the India A game for September 27-29.
India A produced a dominant performance.
Bangladesh A were dismissed for 228 in their first innings. Sabbir Rahman was the outstanding batter, making an unbeaten 122 from 131 balls. Jayant Yadav took 4/28 and Varun Aaron claimed 4/45.
India A then made 411/5 declared.
Shikhar Dhawan led the response with 150. Vijay Shankar scored 86 and Karun Nair contributed 71. The total gave India A a first-innings lead of 183 runs.
Bangladesh A struggled again in the second innings.
They were dismissed for 151, giving India A victory by an innings and 32 runs. Ishwar Pandey and Jayant Yadav took three wickets apiece, while Abhimanyu Mithun claimed two.
The match was significant because it demonstrated the difference between the sides in long-form conditions at that particular stage of the tour.
2015 Series Summary
The 2015 tour produced four direct India A-Bangladesh A matches: three unofficial ODIs and one first-class match.
| Match | India A | Bangladesh A | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st unofficial ODI | 322/7 | 226 | India A won by 96 runs |
| 2nd unofficial ODI | 187 | 252/8 | Bangladesh A won by 65 runs |
| 3rd unofficial ODI | 297/6 | 141/6 | India A won by 75 runs, D/L |
| First-class match | 411/5d | 228 & 151 | India A won by an innings and 32 runs |
The limited-overs series was competitive because Bangladesh A were able to recover from the first-match defeat and force a decider. India A ultimately prevailed 2-1. The first-class match was much more one-sided.
2022: India A Tour Bangladesh
The teams met again in Bangladesh in November and December 2022.
This time, the format was different. India A played two unofficial Tests against Bangladesh A, giving players an opportunity to gain experience in first-class conditions.
The first match was played at the Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium in Cox’s Bazar from November 29 to December 2. The second was held at Sylhet Stadium from December 6 to 9. Cricket records identify both fixtures as first-class matches on India’s 2022 tour of Bangladesh.
The 2022 tour was particularly notable for the presence of several experienced Indian players.
India A’s batting group included KS Bharat, Cheteshwar Pujara, Yash Dhull and Upendra Yadav. Pujara’s experience was especially valuable in the longer format, while KS Bharat and Upendra Yadav were competing for opportunities in India’s wicketkeeping setup.
2022 First-Class Encounters
First Unofficial Test: Cox’s Bazar
The opening four-day fixture took place at Cox’s Bazar.
The game was significant because it gave players on both sides extended time in first-class conditions. Rather than the fast-paced nature of a one-day match, the contest tested batting concentration, bowling workloads and tactical patience.
For India A, KS Bharat scored 77 in the tour’s recorded batting statistics, while Upendra Yadav made an unbeaten 71. Saurabh Kumar also contributed 55.
Second Unofficial Test: Sylhet
The second match began on December 6 at Sylhet Stadium.
The fixture again provided an extended opportunity for players to demonstrate their red-ball credentials. India A’s batting statistics for the tour included strong contributions from Bharat, Upendra Yadav, Saurabh Kumar and Cheteshwar Pujara.
The 2022 series was particularly useful for players who needed first-class match practice against an international-standard opposition rather than another domestic fixture.
Important Players in the Rivalry
A-team matches often contain a mixture of established internationals and emerging cricketers. That is particularly clear in the India A-Bangladesh A meetings.
Shikhar Dhawan
Dhawan played an important role in the 2015 first-class match. He scored 150, giving India A a commanding platform after Bangladesh A had made 228.
His innings demonstrated how A-team fixtures can be used by established players to maintain form and match rhythm.
Suresh Raina
Raina produced one of the standout limited-overs performances in the rivalry.
He scored 104 from 94 balls in the 2015 series decider. India A finished with 297/6 and went on to win the match under the Duckworth-Lewis method.
Sanju Samson
Samson scored 90 in the same 2015 series decider.
His innings combined with Raina’s century to establish the platform for India A’s winning total.
Nasir Hossain
Nasir produced the most influential all-round performance for Bangladesh A during the 2015 ODI series.
His unbeaten 102 was followed by 5/36 with the ball. Bangladesh A won the match by 65 runs, forcing the series into a decider.
Sabbir Rahman
Sabbir’s unbeaten 122 in the 2015 first-class match was Bangladesh A’s major batting highlight.
He arrived with the team in serious trouble and helped Bangladesh A reach 228. His innings was followed by a difficult second innings for the visitors, however, as India A completed an innings victory.
KS Bharat
Bharat was one of India’s leading run-scorers during the 2022 A tour of Bangladesh, scoring 77 in the first-class series.
His involvement illustrated the developmental role of India A cricket for players competing for senior-team opportunities.
Major Milestones
| Milestone | Details |
|---|---|
| First major bilateral series | 2015 |
| First ODI meeting in the documented series | September 16, 2015 |
| 2015 ODI series winner | India A, 2-1 |
| Highest India A ODI total in 2015 series | 322/7 |
| Bangladesh A’s biggest ODI win in 2015 | 65 runs |
| Raina’s best highlighted innings | 104 |
| Nasir Hossain’s standout all-round match | 102* and 5/36 |
| Shikhar Dhawan’s first-class score | 150 |
| Sabbir Rahman’s first-class score | 122* |
| 2022 format | Two unofficial Tests |
| 2022 venues | Cox’s Bazar and Sylhet |
These milestones demonstrate why A-team cricket is valuable. The matches are competitive in their own right, but they also serve as a testing ground for players who may later move into senior international cricket.
Memorable Encounters
The 2015 Series Decider
The third ODI in 2015 is arguably the clearest turning point in the bilateral history.
After India A won the opening match and Bangladesh A levelled the series, the decider went India’s way. Raina’s century and Samson’s 90 produced a strong total, while India’s bowlers reduced Bangladesh A to 141/6 before rain ended the contest.
Nasir Hossain’s All-Round Show
The second ODI was memorable because one player dominated both disciplines.
Nasir’s unbeaten century gave Bangladesh A a competitive total, and his five-wicket haul then destroyed India’s chase. His performance changed the series from a potential 2-0 India A lead into a winner-takes-the-series finale.
The 2015 First-Class Dominance
India A’s innings-and-32-run victory was the biggest margin of victory among the major bilateral fixtures from the 2015 tour.
Dhawan’s 150 and strong contributions from Vijay Shankar and Karun Nair gave India A a huge first-innings lead before the bowling attack finished the job.
Recent Meetings
The most recent clearly documented direct bilateral series between the two sides was the 2022 India A tour of Bangladesh, which consisted of two unofficial Tests.
In subsequent years, India A and Bangladesh A have also appeared in separate editions of regional development competitions. For example, in the 2023 ACC Men’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, India A and Bangladesh A were placed in different groups. India A were grouped with Nepal, UAE A and Pakistan A, while Bangladesh A were in a group with Sri Lanka A, Afghanistan A and Oman A.
The 2024 ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup followed a similar structure. India A were in Group B with Pakistan A, Oman and UAE, while Bangladesh A were placed in Group A alongside Afghanistan A, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka A.
This distinction matters because not every India A-Bangladesh A-related tournament appearance represents a direct head-to-head match.
Why India A vs Bangladesh A Matches Matter
A-team cricket is an important part of the player-development system in South Asia.
For India, an A-team fixture can provide opportunities to players performing strongly in domestic cricket, young players identified as future international prospects and senior cricketers returning from injury or a period outside the national side.
For Bangladesh, Bangladesh A performs a similar role. Players can gain experience against stronger opposition and prepare for international cricket without immediately being exposed to the full pressure of a senior international series.
The matches also allow selectors to evaluate players in different conditions. A one-day fixture tests scoring rate and limited-overs tactics, while a first-class game reveals concentration, technique and bowling endurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When did India A and Bangladesh A first play a major bilateral series?
The most prominent early bilateral series was Bangladesh A’s 2015 tour of India. The teams played three unofficial ODIs in Bengaluru, followed by a three-day first-class match. India A won the ODI series 2-1.
2. Who won the India A vs Bangladesh A ODI series in 2015?
India A won the three-match series 2-1. India A won the first and third matches, while Bangladesh A won the second match by 65 runs.
3. Who scored a century in the 2015 India A vs Bangladesh A series decider?
Suresh Raina scored 104 from 94 balls in the third unofficial ODI. Sanju Samson also made an important contribution with 90. India A won the match by 75 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis method.
4. Who was Bangladesh A’s standout performer in the 2015 ODI series?
Nasir Hossain produced a remarkable all-round performance in the second ODI. He scored an unbeaten 102 and then took 5/36, helping Bangladesh A defeat India A by 65 runs.
5. When did India A last tour Bangladesh for a bilateral series?
India A toured Bangladesh in late 2022 for two unofficial Tests. The first was played at Cox’s Bazar from November 29 to December 2, followed by the second at Sylhet from December 6 to 9.
Conclusion
The India A and Bangladesh A rivalry has produced fewer matches than the two countries’ senior international teams, but its importance extends beyond the scorecards. These fixtures have repeatedly served as a proving ground for players looking to progress toward international cricket.
The 2015 series remains the defining limited-overs chapter, with India A winning 2-1 after Bangladesh A produced a strong comeback in the second game. Raina’s 104, Samson’s 90 and Nasir Hossain’s 102 and five-wicket haul remain among the standout performances from that series.
The 2015 first-class match demonstrated India’s strength in the longer format, while the two unofficial Tests in Bangladesh in 2022 gave another generation of players valuable red-ball experience.
Ultimately, the timeline of India A and Bangladesh A is best understood not simply as a list of results, but as a record of player development. Many of the cricketers who appear in these fixtures are competing for the opportunity to take the next step, making each series an important chapter in the cricketing relationship between India and Bangladesh.
