Mumbai: Pacer Yash Dayal received his first call-up, while wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant returned to the squad for the first Test against Bangladesh, which will be contested at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium beginning September 19.
India will host Bangladesh for a two-test series to kick off their international home season in 2024-25. The Men’s Selection Committee has chosen India’s 16-man squad for the first Test of the series against Bangladesh. Following the completion of the second Test in Kanpur, India is also set to play three Twenty20 Internationals against Bangladesh, which will be crucial in preparing for the T20 World Cup.
Pant, who returned to white-ball cricket at the T20 World Cup this year, will play his first Test in over two years following a horrible car accident that put him on the sidelines for the whole 2023 season.
Conversely, Uttar Pradesh pacer Yash received his first India call-up for the series’ opening Test. He has taken 76 wickets in 24 First Class matches and 32 scalps in List A. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will lead India’s pace attack, with Yash expected to provide additional firepower. At the same time, Bengal quick Akash Deep has been retained in the Test squad after making his debut against England earlier this year.
If India chooses three pacers for its bowling arsenal, Akash and Yash will compete for the third seamer spot.
Yashasvi Jaiswal will open the innings with captain Rohit Sharma, with Shubman Gill retaining his No. 3 place. Virat Kohli will strengthen the middle order. Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel have retained their positions, while KL Rahul has returned to the red-ball squad.
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who announced his retirement from T20I cricket following the World Cup victory due to his focus on Test and ODI formats, will continue to play dual roles for the Test team alongside Axar Patel.
Ravichandran Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav will spearhead the spin attack on the turning Chepauk pitch.
India squad for 1st Test against 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.
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–IANS
