The BCCI announced India’s squad for the first Test against Bangladesh, featuring key inclusions and surprising omissions. Among the highlights, Rishabh Pant made his return to the Test side, while young left-arm pacer Yash Dayal received his maiden call-up. However, the absence of middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer from the squad raised eyebrows, particularly given his recent form in domestic cricket.
Jasprit Bumrah also marked his comeback to international cricket, having last played in the T20 World Cup, where he played a pivotal role in India’s triumph. Bumrah will lead the pace attack alongside Mohammed Siraj, with Akash Deep and Yash Dayal adding depth to the bowling lineup. Given the subcontinental conditions, the selectors have opted for a spin-heavy squad, retaining Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav.
The Duleep Trophy, which concluded recently, was seen as a critical opportunity for players to make a case for Test selection. Rishabh Pant, representing India B, showcased his capabilities in the tournament, particularly with a brisk 61 off 47 balls in the second innings, helping his team set a competitive target. Behind the stumps, Pant was exceptional, pulling off several sharp catches and maintaining his usual energetic presence on the field.
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Pant’s inclusion in the squad may place him as the first-choice wicketkeeper-batter, especially given his established credentials in the format. However, Dhruv Jurel, who made his Test debut earlier this year, also retained his place. Jurel has been impressive in his brief Test career, notably scoring a solid 90-run knock in just his second Test. His inclusion adds depth to the squad, but Pant’s experience and match-winning ability likely place him ahead in the pecking order.
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli’s return to the Test squad is another significant talking point. Kohli missed the previous series against England due to personal reasons, making this his first red-ball appearance of the year. Kohli’s return to form in white-ball cricket, particularly during the ODIs against Sri Lanka, has been promising, but the challenge now lies in translating that into Test cricket. Bangladesh’s potent spin attack, which recently dismantled Pakistan in a 2-0 series win, will be a formidable test for Kohli and the rest of the Indian batting lineup.
🚨 NEWS 🚨- Team India’s squad for the 1st Test of the IDFC FIRST Bank Test series against Bangladesh announced.
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… pic.twitter.com/pQn7Ll7k3X
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 8, 2024
Despite showing flashes of brilliance in domestic cricket, Shreyas Iyer missed out on selection. Iyer’s year has been tumultuous, marred by injury and inconsistent performances. His red-ball form has been underwhelming while he played a crucial role in Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy win and led Kolkata Knight Riders to an IPL title. His exclusion underscores the intense competition for spots in India’s middle-order, with players like Sarfaraz Khan and KL Rahul edging him out.
Sarfaraz Khan, impressed with his aggressive batting during his Test debut earlier this year, retained his spot in the squad. His inclusion, along with KL Rahul’s, reflects the selectors’ preference for players who have consistently performed in high-pressure situations.
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As the series against Bangladesh approaches, the Indian team faces the dual challenge of acclimatizing to conditions and countering Bangladesh’s spin threat, which could define the outcome of the matches.
India’s squad for 1st Test vs Bangladesh: 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.
