It will be a matter of six months since India have played in whites, and they would be looking to get the ball rolling under new coach Gautam Gambhir as they take on Bangladesh in a two-match Test series starting September 19 in Chennai with an aim to strengthening their position at the top of 2025 World Test Championship table. This would be India’s first red-ball outing since its impressive 4-1 series win against England back in March 2024. On the other hand, Bangladesh comes into the contest fresh from a historic series win where they managed to clean sweep Pakistan.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will announce the Indian squad next week and reports suggest that there won’t be major changes in the team line up and performances during the first round of Duleep Trophy – where most of the first choice and fringe Indian players are expected to play – might not affect much on this series selection.
Virat Kohli to return to the side:
An Eight-Month Break For The Legendary Cricketer Virat Kohli, He Is About To Make A Come Back In The Test Squad. A January 2024 Game Marked His Last Foray Into The Longest Format. Rohit Sharma Stays As The Captain With Yashasvi Jaiswal Likely To Be Retained As Opening Partner And Hence Forming A Sturdy Opening Pair For India. Shubman Gill May Also Rise To Vice Captaincy While He Will Return At Batting No.3 Position Followed By Virat Kohli.
Changes in the middle order? :
Sarfaraz Khan and Devdutt Padikkal, the two most recent debutants for India in Test matches, are expected to hold their spots in both the squad as well as the playing XI. This implies that Rajat Patidar, who had an average performance during the Border Gavaskar Trophy, could be omitted from the selection as he incurred an injury before the last Test match
Who are the all rounders?:
In the team, it is anticipated that spin bowling all-rounders who are dependable in India will play an important role. Based on how consistently they have performed when playing at home, there is a near-certainity of them being selected in the playing XI.
Rishabh Pant to be back in the set-up:
Rishabh Pant may be set to return to the Test team for the first time in 634 days, this being his longest layoff from the format. Pant has made a remarkable recovery from a major accident that left him incapacitated for several months. Dhruv Jurel is also likely to be included in the squad as a young and promising wicketkeeper-batter. Meanwhile, Srikar Bharat who was India’s first-choice keeper against England before Dhruv Jurel edged past him in Andhra, might also be left out of selection.
What would India’s pace attack look like?:
As Jasprit Bumrah is likely to be rested for this series, Mohammed Siraj is poised to take charge of India’s fast bowling attack. Kuldeep Yadav seems set to keep his place in the squad, providing a spin option alongside the all-rounders. Between Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh, who is being speculated to be on the verge of making his Test debut, a fierce competition may arise for the last slot in the pace department. Though there was earlier talk that BCCI was contemplating Shami’s return during Bangladesh series, it now appears that he will only return from injury during New Zealand series.
Tentative Squad for the Bangladesh Series:
Openers: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal
Middle-order: Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, Devdutt Padikkal
All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, R Ashwin.
Wicketkeepers: Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel
Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep/Arshdeep Singh
