IND vs BAN: India will play a two-match Test series with Bangladesh next month. The first match of the series against the Nazmul Hossain Shanto-led side will start on September 19 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, while the second Test will be played from September 27 at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur. The BCCI selectors are yet to announce the squad for the series against Bangladesh.
IND vs BAN: India Eyes Full-Strength Squad
India last played a red-ball match against England in March 2024 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala and defeated the Ben Stokes-led side by an innings and 64 runs. India are ranked No. 1 in the WTC 2023-25 points table and would look to beat Bangladesh in both matches to retain the No. 1 spot.
India missed the services of several star players during the previous Test series against England due to various reasons. But there are no major injury concerns at the moment and India are likely to pick a full-strength squad for the upcoming two matches.
Here is a look at three Indian players who are all set to return for the Test series against Bangladesh
1- Virat Kohli:
Batting superstar Virat Kohli missed all five Tests against England earlier this year due to the birth of his second child. He made a comeback during IPL 2024 and then played all eight matches for the Men in Blue in the T20 World Cup 2024. Kohli is India’s fourth-highest run-scorer in Tests and is all set to return for the Bangladesh series, which is crucial for India’s chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final.
2- Rishabh Pant:
Star wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant last played a red-ball match for India against Bangladesh in Mirpur on December 25, 2022. He was out of the game for more than a year due to multiple injuries sustained in a fatal road accident, but he has made a successful comeback to competitive cricket. He is all set to be a part of the Indian team for the Bangladesh series and is expected to be the first choice as a wicketkeeper as well.
3- KL Rahul:
KL Rahul played the first Test for India against England and was also the top scorer in the first innings, but he got injured during the match and was then ruled out of the next four matches. In Pant’s absence, Rahul did wicketkeeping and performed well as a middle-order batsman in Tests, which is why the 31-year-old right-handed batsman is likely to get a chance.
As India aim to retain their No. 1 spot in the WTC rankings, the return of key players like Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul will be a huge boost for the team. India’s experience and form will be crucial to dominate Bangladesh in the upcoming two-match Test series.
