India Cricket Team will kick off their Test season with the IND vs BAN Test series which will begin from September 19. The series is all set to see the return of keeper-batter Rishabh Pant. KL Rahul too will make a comeback to the Test side after missing out on the four Tests against England. With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the side, India are likely to field a strong XI in the Tests against Bangladesh. But the return of Kohli, Pant and Rahul is likely to force both youngsters Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel to the bench despite a good debut series.
Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel were the breakout stars in the India vs England series. Sarfaraz scored 200 runs including three half-centuries in five innings. Jurel did the glove works well and smashed 190 runs at an average of 63.33 in three matches.
How will India line up for IND vs BAN Tests?
Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal will essay the role of openers at the top for Men in Blue. India will follow the left-right combination that they have been adhering to for a long time now. Shubman Gill is all set to carry on batting at number three followed by run maestro Virat Kohli at four.
Pant, Rahul return
KL Rahul can be India’s number five if he manages to secure a spot in the XI. India’s first-choice wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, who will mark his return to Tests after nearly 18 months, will bat at No 6.
Strong spin battery
Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav are likely to be India’s spin battery (on rank turning surfaces). Axar Patel and Washington Sundar could be the other spin alternatives for India if they play on surfaces that will help spinners more.
Siraj to lead pace attack in absence of Bumrah
The pace battery will be spearheaded by Mohammed Siraj. Arshdeep Singh, who is tipped to be selected for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, might make his Test debut against Bangladesh. India can opt for either Mukesh Kumar or Khaleel Ahmed to be their third pacer in the side, depending on the conditions.
Mohammed Shami, who is on the final stage of his recovery, will not take part in the tournament while premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah could get an extended break before returning in India vs New Zealand series.
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What happens to heroes of IND vs ENG series?
The return of Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul to the side would mean Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel will be left with no place in the playing XI. This would also mark the end of the road for KS Bharat and Rajat Patidar, who last featured in the series against England earlier this year.
India XI IND vs BAN
- Rohit Sharma (C)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- KL Rahul
- Rishabh Pant (wk)
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Kuldeep Yadav / Mukesh Kumar
- Mohammad Siraj
- Arshdeep Singh / Washington Sundar / Axar Patel
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