'Sometimes you have to steal your rights' - Aakash Chopra reacts to Bangladesh's maiden Test win in Australia

Bangladesh produced one of their most significant results in Test cricket when they defeated Australia by 9 wickets in the 1st Test at Marrara Stadium, Darwin, on August 16, 2026. It was their maiden Test win on Australian soil, coming in only their third-ever Test match in the country. The two sides had not met in a Test in Australia since 2003, a gap of 23 years.

Former India opener Aakash Chopra took to X to share his reaction, posting a video in which he reflected on the significance of the result and Bangladesh's journey in Test cricket.

"Sometimes you have to steal your rights. Because you don't get to ask. This is the story of Bangladesh. Now that the Australians have been defeated, Bangladesh have stated that they belong at this place. They said, 'You haven't called us for 23 years. But when you called, we made you bite the dust in your own backyard.' This is the reality," Chopra said in a video on his official 'X' handle.

Chopra also pointed to the long gap between Bangladesh's tours to Australia as part of his argument. He further credited Bangladesh's growing fast-bowling resources as a key factor in the win. The erstwhile India opening batter also noted a broader shift in Bangladesh's team structure.

"Between 2003 and 2026, there have been many Test matches. And Australia is a team that gives a lot of attention to the this format. And they claim it with love that they are keeping Test cricket alive. But you don't host Bangladesh. And they do not like to host a lot of countries. So, the victory of Bangladesh is very significant," he added.

"Finally, their fast bowling investment is paying rewards. Now, they do not have just a couple of names in their ranks, instead, they have a quartet now. Hasan Mehmood, Taskin Ahmed and Ebadot are playing here. Nahid Rana has got the pace. Shoriful also bowls pretty well. They have got plenty. So, the focus and pivoted on it is a good job," the former cricketer added further.

"And the second, Bangladesh cricket is finally getting out of the shadows of individuals. Cricket was quite individual-centric in Bangladesh. Names like Mushfiqur are still around, but it's not like Bangladesh are dependent on him. I mean, they are doing what they should have been doing for a long, long time. So, well done, Bangladesh. Keep playing the way you are," Chopra highlighted.

How did Bangladesh dominate in Darwin?

Australia were bowled out for 198 in their first innings and 284 in their second. Bangladesh were set a target of 57 runs and chased it down in 14.2 overs, losing only one wicket. Tanzid Hasan was dismissed for a duck, and Shadman Islam and Mominul Haque completed the chase, with Mominul hitting the winning runs.

Hasan Mahmud was named Player of the Match after taking 6/55 in the first innings and 9 wickets in the match overall. He became the first Bangladesh pacer to take a Test five-wicket haul in Australia, Pakistan and India. Mehidy Hasan Miraz took 5/66 from 33.1 overs in Australia's second innings at an economy of 2.00 and also scored a half-century with the bat.

Cameron Green scored 104, his third Test century, in Australia's second innings but received little support from his teammates, as they could post only a 57-run target for the tourists.

Bangladesh create history down under

Notably, Bangladesh became the second-quickest visiting team in history to win a Test in Australia, achieving it in their third attempt. England won in their second attempt in 1877, while Pakistan required seven attempts and India required 12. The win moved Bangladesh to 4th in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-2027 standings with a PCT of 66.67, while Australia were the table-toppers at the time of the match. The 2026 tour also marks the first winter Tests in Australia since 2004. The 2nd Test between the two sides is scheduled for August 22-26 in Mackay.