Wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant is set to make his return as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the squad for the first Test match against Bangladesh which begins on September 19.
This marks Pant’s comeback to Test cricket after nearly 20 months having recovered from injuries sustained in a car accident. Rohit Sharma will lead the team, with both Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah included in the lineup. Additionally Akash Deep has been named in the squad while promising pacer Yash Dayal has earned his first call-up.
Pant last played for India in second and final Test against Bangladesh in Mirpur from December 22-25, 2022, before a road accident on December 30 delayed his return to competitive cricket, with his comeback only occurring during this year’s IPL.
The 26-year-old explosive batter rejoined the national side during their victorious T20 World Cup campaign. On another note, Mohammed Shami did not make the cut for the Test squad, despite chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar indicating that the right-arm seamer had been aiming for a return in the first Test against Bangladesh.
India’s lengthy Test season kicks off with first of two Tests against Bangladesh in Chennai starting September 19. The second Test will take place at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur from September 27 to October 1.
To date, India and Bangladesh have faced off in 13 Tests with India securing victory in 11 of those matches while, two have ended in draws.
Bangladesh enters this series following a historic 2-0 series win over Pakistan on their home turf while India looks to resume Test play after a 4-1 series win against England at home earlier this year.
India’s squad for 1st Test of the Bangladesh Test series: 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, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, and Yash Dayal.
