Publish Date: | Tue, 13 Dec 2022 10:38 PM (IST)
IND vs BAN 1st Test: The first match of the two-match Test series will be played between India and Bangladesh from Wednesday. Five months after their last Test match, the Indian team will land in Chittagong to face Bangladesh. This will be India’s first Test match in Bangladesh in the last seven years. The match will be played at the Juhud Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram, which will start at 9 am Indian time. Earlier, a three-match ODI series was played between India and Bangladesh, which was won by the hosts 2-1. However, Bangladesh’s condition is very bad in front of India in Tests. A total of 11 Tests have been played between India and Bangladesh so far, out of which the Indian team has won 9 Tests while two matches have been drawn. Bangladesh team is yet to win a test against India. It is important for India to win this Test series as it will help the team reach the final of the World Test Championship.
How will be the playing XI?
On behalf of the Indian team, KL Rahul has got the responsibility of captaincy in the first Test match. In the absence of opener Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill or Abhimanyu Easwaran may get a chance. Shubman has an average of 30.47 in 14 innings of 11 Test matches. Due to his Test playing experience, he can be preferred over Easwaran. However, Easwaran impressed everyone by scoring two centuries for India A in the series against Bangladesh. Abhimanyu did brilliantly against Bangladesh A. India’s middle order is set. Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant will come in to bat from number three to number six. There is not likely to be much change in this.
Multiple options in bowling
The problem is that in the absence of leading fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, that edge will not be seen in the bowling. India has the option of Umesh Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Mohammad Siraj, Navdeep Saini and Jaydev Unadkat here. Based on experience and form, Umesh and Siraj will be India’s first two options, while Shardul can be made the third option due to his batting ability. And Jaydev Unadkat will not be available in the first Test match as he could not reach Chattogram on time due to visa. Apart from R Ashwin in spin bowling, India has three spin bowling options in the form of Akshar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Saurabh Kumar. While Ashwin’s place is certain, Akshar is a strong contender as the second spinner.
Posted By: Shailendra Kumar