India’s Playing XI for 1st Bangladesh Test: Rishabh Pant Returns, Axar Patel to Miss Out
As India gears up for their first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai on September 19, the team’s playing XI has been revealed, with Rishabh Pant set to reclaim his spot over Dhruv Jurel. The Indian team management has opted for a spin-heavy bowling combination, leaving Axar Patel out of the squad. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will lead the pace attack, while Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav will form the spin trio.
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INDC Network : Sports : India is set to kick off their long Test season with the opening match against Bangladesh on September 19 in Chennai. This season includes 10 matches, concluding with the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar series against Australia. Bangladesh, fresh from their 2-0 sweep of Pakistan, poses a strong challenge, but India, under Rohit Sharma’s leadership, will be eager to assert their dominance, starting with this two-match series.
One of the main concerns for India ahead of the first Test has been their bowling combination. The pitch at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai is reportedly prepared with an eye on India's upcoming tour of Australia. The red-soil wicket is expected to offer pace and bounce, favoring fast bowlers, which led to speculation that India might go with a 3-2 combination (three pacers, two spinners).
Akash Deep, who impressed with a nine-wicket haul in the Duleep Trophy earlier this month and had a solid debut in Ranchi against England, was in the running for the third seamer’s spot. However, according to a PTI report, the Indian team management has opted for a spin-heavy 2-3 combination. This means India will go in with three spinners—Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav—while Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will be the only pacers in the lineup.
Despite his heroics in the T20 World Cup final and his excellent all-round performance in the Duleep Trophy, Axar Patel will be sitting out for this Test. The decision reflects India’s strategy to maximize their spin options on subcontinent wickets, especially with the likes of Ashwin and Jadeja, who have proven to be match-winners on these surfaces.
In terms of the batting order, the line-up is mostly settled. Rohit Sharma will open alongside the talented Yashasvi Jaiswal, with Shubman Gill slated to bat at No. 3, followed by Virat Kohli at No. 4. KL Rahul is expected to bat at No. 5, edging out Sarfaraz Khan, whose recent performances in the Duleep Trophy were underwhelming.
A major selection decision has been the wicketkeeping position. While Dhruv Jurel impressed on his Test debut against England earlier this year, earning a Player of the Match award, he will make way for Rishabh Pant, who returns to the side after recovering from a car accident that sidelined him for months. Pant’s experience and explosive batting make him the preferred choice for the series opener.
As India embarks on this crucial Test season, beginning with Bangladesh, the team will be eager to get off to a strong start, especially with their eyes on the bigger challenge—Australia later this year.
