The BCCI has officially named the Indian team for the first Test match against Bangladesh, which kicks off on September 19. The selection brings in Yash Dayal for his first-ever call-up and welcomes back Rishabh Pant to the longest format after a significant hiatus. Shreyas Iyer, however, missed out on a spot in the squad. This match marks the international return of star pacer Jasprit Bumrah following his standout performances in June's T20 World Cup. Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will lead the bowling attack, joined by Akash Deep and Dayal. To maximize their advantage, India has gone with a spin-heavy lineup featuring Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav. The Duleep Trophy was seen as the primary proving ground for this series, and Pant used it wisely. Representing India B, Pant may have started quietly against India A, but he shifted gears to help set a competitive target of 275 runs, scoring a rapid 61 off just 47 deliveries. Beyond his batting, Pant was exceptional behind the stumps, showcasing sharp reflexes and high energy with several brilliant catches. Another major return is Virat Kohli, who is back in the Test fold after missing the previous series against England for personal reasons. Having been absent for all five matches of that series, there is immense anticipation surrounding the 35-year-old veteran's return to red-ball cricket. Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer's absence persists despite a strong half-century for India D in the Duleep Trophy. Iyer's 2024 has been turbulent; an injury during the England series and concerns over his availability for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy led to his removal from BCCI central contracts. In the end, KL Rahul was preferred over Iyer, while Sarfaraz Khan kept his place following his aggressive and successful debut against England.
first Test match against Bangladesh, starting September 19. Yash Dayal got his
maiden call-up while wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant made a return to the
longest format of the game after a prolonged gap. However, middle-order batter
Shreyas Iyer failed to grab a spot in the squad.
India’s premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah will play international cricket for the first
time after playing a crucial role in India's success in the T20 World Cup in June. In
the Test series, Mohammed Siraj and Bumrah will be partnered; the other two
pacers in the team are Dayal and Akash Deep. With four spinners in the
side—Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravichandran
Ashwin—India has understandably chosen to mount a spin-heavy attack.
Before the India-Bangladesh series, the Duleep Trophy was widely expected to be
important for selection in the Test team. The left-handed batter Pant did not
spare any effort in establishing an impression in the first round. Although Pant,
who is playing for India B, had a quiet first inning as a batsman against India A, he
was instrumental in helping the side set a competitive target of 275 runs with a
quick-fire knock of 61 off just 47 balls.
Pant looked flawless behind the stumps while wearing gloves, displaying his
reflexes and abilities to their full potential. He made several outstanding catches
behind the stumps and maintained his lively demeanor throughout the game to
keep the batters at bay.
Virat Kohli, the star batter for Team India, returned to the Test squad after
missing the England series earlier this year for personal reasons. For all five of the
Test matches in the series, Kohli made himself unavailable for selection; this year,
as he plays for the first time in the red-ball format, all eyes will be on the 35-year-
old veteran batter.
Shreyas was unable to secure a place in the squad, even though he scored a
brilliant half-century for India D in the second innings of the Duleep Trophy match
against India. C. Iyer's 2024 season has seen many ups and downs. Following an
injury he suffered during India's Test series against England, he was cut from the
BCCI's central contracts because of his perceived lack of availability for Mumbai in
the Ranji Trophy. In addition to KL Rahul being picked over Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan,
who wowed with his aggressive hitting in his debut series against England earlier
this year, retained his spot.
After the struggles against spin during the Sri Lanka series, India's ability to handle Bangladesh's slow bowlers will be under the microscope. Bangladesh is coming off a dominant 2-0 sweep of Pakistan driven by their spin attack, adding to the challenge for the Indian batters. The official squad includes: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, and Yash Dayal.
spin, which now draws attention to their approach against Bangladesh's spin
threat. The recent 2-0 clean-sweep victory against Pakistan was made possible by
Bangladesh's spinners, which heightens the challenge that awaits the Indian
team.
India's squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL
Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), R Ashwin, R Jadeja,
Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Yash Dayal.