Highlights
India has chosen to field three fast bowlers for the opening Test against Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Bangladesh’s captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, won the toss on an overcast morning and decided to bowl first.
India National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team:This strategic choice brings Akash Deep into the fold alongside the established pace pair of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. The last occasion India played three seamers in a home Test was back in 2019, also against Bangladesh, during the historic Day/Night Test in Kolkata. Akash, who recently made a stellar international debut, had replaced Bumrah in the fourth Test against England in Ranchi earlier this year. The 27-year-old impressed with figures of 3/83 in the first innings, claiming the wickets of Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, and Ollie Pope in a fierce new-ball spell.
IND vs BAN Day 1: Live Action Unfolds
In addition to his international success, Akash had a standout performance for India A in the Duleep Trophy. During the tournament’s first round against India B at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, he took nine wickets, with figures of 9/116 across two innings, while also contributing with a vital 43 off 42 balls in the second innings.
Bangladesh Fields a Trio of Seamers
Bangladesh has also opted to go with three fast bowlers. For India, spin stalwarts Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have been included in the playing XI. Additionally, KL Rahul has made a return to the lineup after missing the last four Tests against England. The 32-year-old has been selected over Sarfaraz Khan, who had impressed in Rahul’s absence during his debut series against England.
Another notable return for India is wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, rejoining the Test side after a 20-month hiatus. On the other hand, Bangladesh has retained the same squad from their recent victory against Pakistan, with Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, and Hasan Mahmud forming their pace attack.
Bangladesh (Playing XI): Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto(c), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das(w), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj
