Rishabh Pant will play first Test against Bangladesh. Photo: BCCI
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Rishabh Pant will play first Test against Bangladesh
- Dhruv Jurel will be benched
- The first Test will be played in Chennai from September 19 to 23
Rishabh Pant is set to make his comeback in the playing XI while Dhruv Jurel will be benched for the first Test match against Bangladesh. Rishabh, who did not play a Test match in 2023 and the series against England, will pip Dhruv for a spot in the final XI.
PTI has reported that Rishabh will play the first Test and Dhruv will have to wait for his chance. Rishabh has been India's first-choice wicketkeeper-batsman since 2020 and he has cemented his spot in the Test team.
The left-handed batsman has excelled with the bat and behind the wickets and can even play as a specialist batsman. His presence gives India a big advantage.
Dhruv made his debut in the Test series against England and played three games in the series. He scored 190 runs and played a key role in India's series win. But he will have to make way for the regular wicketkeeper against Bangladesh.
The report in PTI adds that KL Rahul will play ahead of Sarfaraz Khan. Rahul is a senior player and will get the first preference. He only played one game in the series against England earlier in the year.
No debut for Yash Dayal?
It is unlikely that Yash Dayal will make his debut. Given the nature of the Chennai track, India are only expected to play two pacers. Jasprit Bumrah will lead the pace attack and will be assisted by Mohammed Siraj. Yash might not be given a debut in the second game even if Bumrah is rested.
Akash Deep is ahead of the left-arm pacer in the pecking order and will walk into the playing XI if there's a vacant spot. The first Test of the series will be played from September 19 to 23. The second game of the series will be played in Kanpur from September 27 to October 1.
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