India will face Bangladesh at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai later this month and must make a crucial choice regarding their third fast bowler – Akash Deep or Yash Dayal may well get priority, while Kuldeep Yadav could get another shot as an option.
Match Overview
India Vs Bangladesh 1st Test : India and Bangladesh will commence their two-match Test series at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium beginning September 19. India seeks to dominate this two-match series on home ground and secure first place on the World Test Championship (WTC) points table with strong performances that could cement India’s claim to compete for a spot in WTC Final.
India defeated Bangladesh 5-0 in their previous Test series and are likely to employ two spinners – Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja – on Chennai’s spin-friendly pitch this time around. Due to BCCI’s policy of rotating fast bowlers throughout their domestic season, however, India may opt for a 2-3 combination of pace and spin.
Could Kuldeep Yadav Play 5 Consecutive Tests?
For the first time ever in his career, Kuldeep Yadav may get the opportunity to appear in five successive Test matches at once if team management decides against playing either Akash Deep or Yash Dayal as third pacer at Chennai on its red-soil pitch, or continuing with three spinners including himself as part of its playing XI.
Jasprit Bumrah will feature in India’s playing XI. To ensure balance among experienced and rested fast bowlers, India may opt to give Akash Deep an opportunity over Mohammad Siraj in terms of fast bowlers; KL Rahul may replace Sarfaraz Khan in middle order; also Indian batsmen need to improve against spin, an area in which they’ve struggled recently.
Bangladesh’s Challenges
Bangladesh faces similar difficulties when selecting their bowling combination. In their matches against Pakistan, they used three fast bowlers; however, Chennai conditions may favor spinners better; Taijul Islam could be an ideal candidate to lead them while Mahmudul Hasan Joy might also prove effective to combat India’s left-arm spinners.
India’s Probable Playing XI for the India Vs Bangladesh 1st Test
They could field: Rohit Sharma as Captain; Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill as wicket-keepers, Virat Kohli at KL Rahul with Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja batting at no.3 while Ravichandran Ashwin plays no.4, Kuldeep Yadav on no.10 with Jasprit Bumrah before Akash Deep/ Mohammad Siraj coming on No 10.
Bangladesh have named an eleven for this series that may play in Bangladesh: Shadman Islam and Zakir Hasan for Najmul Hossain Shanto as captain (left to right in photo below); Mominul Haque; Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan should feature alongside Litton Das (wicketkeeper); Mehidy Hasan Miraz; Taijul Islam & Taskin Ahmed to complete their squads as follows;
Also Read : IND vs BAN Test : Bumrah and Siraj Struggles during Practice Sessions
India’s Full Squad:
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli (Vic), KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper). Also in this team is Ravindra Jadeja of Ravichandran Ashwin fame and Ravi Sarfaraz Khan of Axar Patel Kuldeep Yadav Dhruv Jurel Jasprit Bumrah Mohammad Siraj Yash Dayal Akash Deep.
Bangladesh’s Full Squad:
Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque and Najmul Hossain Shanto as Captain; Shakib Al Hasan (Captain), Mushfiqur Rahim Litton Das (Wicketkeeper), Zakir Ali Mehidy Hasan Miraz Khaled Ahmed Hasan Mahmud Taskin Ahmed Taijul Islam Nayeem Hasan Nahid Rana.