India will take on Bangladesh in the first Test match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on 19th September at 9:30 AM IST. This marks the start of an intense series as both teams gear up for a competitive clash. Rohit Sharma will lead the Indian side, with a strong lineup featuring Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh will be captained by Najmul Hossain Shanto, supported by key players like Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, and Mehidy Hasan. These two teams have faced each other 13 times in Test cricket, with India holding a dominant record of 11 wins, while two matches ended in a draw.

Despite India’s clear advantage in their head-to-head history, recent encounters between these sides have been closely contested, setting the stage for an exciting match. With star-studded lineups on both sides, fans can anticipate a gripping battle in Chennai.

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India will aim to maintain their upper hand, but Bangladesh has shown their ability to push top teams to their limits. As the action unfolds, both teams will look to start the series on a high note, with a thrilling contest expected between bat and ball.

India

In their last Test series in India, the hosts relied heavily on pace to counter Bangladesh, and Chennai’s surface may allow India to field only two spinners—Ashwin and Jadeja. However, to manage the workload of their fast bowlers throughout the home season, India is likely to stick to a 2-3 combination, including Kuldeep Yadav, who could extend his streak to five consecutive Tests.

Additionally, India might rotate their frontline pacers, with either Bumrah or Siraj being rested to ensure one experienced quick is always available. In the middle order, KL Rahul is expected to play ahead of Sarfaraz Khan, even though Sarfaraz took an extra practice session a day before the match.

Probable XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep/Mohammed Siraj

Bangladesh

For Bangladesh, the team faces a similar dilemma with their bowling combination, given their two spin-bowling all-rounders. While they opted for three seamers in Pakistan, conditions in Chennai are expected to be more spin-friendly, making Taijul Islam a likely pick. There is also consideration to break the sequence of left-handed batters by bringing Mahmudul Hasan Joy into the top order. However, since it might disrupt the balance of a recently successful lineup, they are likely to stick with their current combination and resist making unnecessary changes.

Probable XI: Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana

Fantasy XI Suggestion 1:

KL Rahul, Liton Das, Rohit Sharma (vc), Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shakib Al Hasan, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin (c), Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav

Fantasy XI Suggestion 2:

KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal (c), Shakib Al Hasan, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja (vc), Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Taskin Ahmed