The Indian cricket team is gearing up for a two-match Test series against Bangladesh, set to commence on September 19, 2024. This will mark India's first red-ball series since their 4-1 victory over England in March 2024.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh is coming into the series with a boost of confidence after a historic clean sweep against Pakistan. With the series in India, all eyes will be on both teams as they aim to start their campaigns ahead of crucial international tournaments.
This series will also be Gautam Gambhir's first red-ball assignment as India's head coach. The former India opener will take charge of the Test squad for the first time since his appointment.
It will be curious to see how Gambhir's leadership influences the team's strategies, particularly as India prepares for future marquee events like the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia later this year.
While the BCCI's official squad announcement is expected next week, sources close to the board suggest that the core group will remain the same. According to reports, performances from the first round of the ongoing Duleep Trophy are unlikely to influence the squad for the Bangladesh series heavily.
One of the major talking points is Virat Kohli's return to the Test squad. Kohli, who has been absent from the format since January, is expected to make a comeback as India aims to strengthen its middle order. Rohit Sharma, the Indian captain, will once again open the innings alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, a rising star in Indian cricket.
Sarfaraz Khan, whose consistent performances in domestic cricket have kept him in the spotlight, is also set to be part of the squad. The spin-bowling all-rounders Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel will likely be key contributors to India's spin-friendly home tracks.
Another highly anticipated aspect of the series is the return of wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant to Test cricket. Pant, who was sidelined for 634 days due to a life-threatening accident, is set to don the whites for India again. After making a successful return to competitive cricket earlier this year in the IPL and India's T20 World Cup-winning campaign, Pant's comeback to Test cricket will be one of the most awaited moments of the series.
Young Dhruv Jurel, who has impressed selectors with his performances, will join him on the squad and act as the second wicket-keeper. With Pant and Jurel in the mix, India will have strong options behind the stumps.
India's bowling attack for the series appears to be well-rounded, with Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, and Mukesh Kumar likely to secure their places. The final fast-bowling slot is expected to be a competition between Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh, who have shown their skills at the domestic and international levels.
The upcoming Test series against Bangladesh will be crucial as India looks to finalize its core lineup ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, scheduled later in 2024. With the series against Bangladesh serving as an essential dress rehearsal, the team management will be closely monitoring performances and team dynamics.
Tentative Squad for Bangladesh Series
- Rohit Sharma (Captain)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Sarfaraz Khan
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Axar Patel
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Rishabh Pant
- Dhruv Jurel
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Mohammed Siraj
- Mukesh Kumar
- Akash Deep/Arshdeep Singh
With the first match scheduled to begin on September 19, Indian cricket fans will eagerly await the BCCI's final squad announcement. The upcoming series promises to be an exciting one as India aims to assert its dominance at home while fine-tuning preparations for future challenges.