The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the squad for the first Test against Bangladesh starting on September 19, 2024 in Chennai. The series is crucial for India as they aim to build on their successful home season earlier this year.

The most notable return is that of wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, who is back in the Test squad after recovering from a car accident in late 2022. Pant’s return has generated excitement due to his explosive batting and dynamic wicketkeeping. Recently in the Duleep Trophy, he showcased his readiness by scoring 61 runs, cementing his place as a key player for India.

Another important inclusion is that of Yash Dayal, who has been included in the Test squad for the first time. Dayal’s remarkable performances in domestic cricket and the Duleep Trophy have paved the way for this opportunity. He would be looking to make a mark alongside experienced pacers like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

The Indian team, led by skipper Rohit Sharma, has a mix of experienced players and emerging talents. The selection committee has picked a balanced squad, with a strong bowling lineup including four spinners, which is essential for the spin-friendly conditions in Chennai.

Included players are:

Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Yash Dayal.

Context of the series

India will go into the series on the back of an impressive 4-1 Test series win over England, keen to continue their dominance on home turf. Their record against Bangladesh is strong, having won 11 of their 13 Test encounters. This series is India’s first Test assignment after the win over England, which is a crucial moment to keep the momentum going.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, are coming after a historic 2-0 Test series win against Pakistan, their first-ever clean sweep over their regional rivals. This confidence-boosting move will add another level of excitement to the upcoming series.

Challenges ahead

Despite India’s strong squad, they will face some challenges, especially in dealing with Bangladesh’s spin attack. The Bangladeshi bowlers played a key role in the win over Pakistan, and India’s batsmen will have to be at their best to counter this threat. Chennai’s spin-friendly pitch will likely play a key role in shaping the contest.

India will also miss Shreyas Iyer in their lineup. Although Iyer showed glimpses of form in the Duleep Trophy, his struggles with fitness and consistency eventually cost him a spot in the squad. His absence underlines the fierce competition for places in India’s middle order.