India and Bangladesh are all set to lock horns in the Longer format with the 1st of the two test commencing dated 14th December - 18th December 2022 at the zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong. With a 2-1 series win in the ODI's, the host come in with a lot more positive intent and confidence expecting to give a tough battle to the mighty favourite Indians where as for the Indians these two match test series might aswell play a pivotal role in their roadmap towards the finals of the world test championship 2023 next year .
With a string fury of changes ahead of the Test series, India were forced to make various changes to the initial test squad, with Skipper Rohit Sharma out of the 1st test atleast after sustaining a thumb injury in the 2nd ODI, KL Rahul is all set to lead the INDIAN cricket team in the 1st test match . With all these being said let us look at-
India's Predicted playing XI for the first Test against Bangladesh -
Openers - KL RAHUL(C) & SHUBMAN GILL
KL Rahul leading the Indian team for the first time in the absence of Rohit Sharma looked in decent touch in the first ODI against the host Nation. KL has played 4 test innings this particular year in which he has managed to score a half century, KL with his elegant and solid style of play and technique against both pace and spin is set to lead by example as a leader and play a long innings, where as the emerging young talent Shubman Gill has been IN and OUT of the test side and hasn't lived upto his expectation as off yet but he has been in sublime form in the ODI's in the recent past which has to be a defining factor that might contribute well to his confidence while he is out there looking to make an impact in the middle .
TOP ORDER - Cheteshwar Pujara | Virat Kohli | Rishabh Pant (wk)
*[Pic Credit - Gettyimages]
A star studded top order with Mr dependable and the vice captain Cheteshwar Pujara coming in at no 1, seasoned campaigner Pujara with already having 96 matches under his belt and backed with his dream run back in this years county season, Cheteshwar Pujara would again like to cement his position with playing some impactful and match defining long Innings against the hosts Bangladesh.
Once could sense that Virat Kohli is returning to his old form as he played some mind boggling innings during the Asia cup, T20 world cup and also in the recently concluded 3rd ODI against Bangladesh. He would keenly like to get some big runs under his belt this test series .
Although Rishabh Pant has not had his best of the times in the white ball cricket, he is still no doubt the best emerging batter who has cashed in with the best he has got this past few years in the Red ball game .
MIDDLE ORDER - SHREYAS IYER | AXAR PATEL | RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN
Shreyas Iyer who has been in a good form in the shorter formats would also like to cash in his current form in the red ball cricket as well, he is likely to have a big impact in the middle order for India with his solid technique of tackling spin which is always a threat in the Indian subcontinent Pitches .
The southpaw spinner Axar Patel will be one of the major assets for team India as the pitch gets older with more turn and grip on offer . His figures have been outstanding as the all-rounder has picked up 39 wickets in 6 Tests at an average of 12.43 so far . He would also be keen to contribute with the bat incase if the situation demands so .
Ravi Ashwin the senior pro will have to take the top responsiblity being the main spinner in the Indian side. The off-spinner has got the skillsets to excel in Bangladesh and he had a terrific time when India previously visited the country in 2015. He can also contribute with the bat lower down the order .
BOWLERS - Umesh Yadav | Mohammed Siraj | NAVDEEP SAINI or Shardul Thakur
Umesh Yadav the right-arm quick is potent with the new ball and can reverse swing once the ball gets old. He is an excellent exponent of swing bowling and he can bowl at a good pace too .
The right-arm medium pacer Md Siraj has the natural angle going into the right hander and he uses the cross-seamed deliveries quite well. He could create an impact coming in as the first change bowler .
Navdeep Saini with his raw pace and with his ability to hit the deck hard could be a threat to the Bangladeshi top order with the new bowl in his hand .
OR
Shardul Thakur is expected to get the nod as he has done well with the bat and ball in away conditions. He could be handy with the bat as well in lower down the order .Thakur's bowling figures are the third-best in Test matches between India and South Africa where he took a 7 wicket haul by just conceding 61 runs .
*Show your support for Team India by commenting #webacktheblues
Comments