After the exciting end to the ODI series, which saw Bangladesh thumping India by 2-1, the focus now shifts towards the two-match Test series. The two Test matches will be played in Chattogram on 14th December and Mirpur on 22nd December respectively. The Test series will extremely be important for both series in the context of the World Test Championship and both teams would want to give their best.
Predicting India’s strongest playing XI for the first Test against Bangladesh
The first Test between Bangladesh and India is just a few days away now. India has been jolted with a big blow as skipper Rohit Sharma suffered a thumb injury in the ODI series and it is likely that he will miss the first Test. Therefore in his absence KL Rahul will lead the team and open the innings alongside Shubman Gill.
Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli have been the lynchpin of India’s batting order in the Tests and therefore they are likely to retain their place at No.3 and No.4 respectively. Both the batters have to fire it India has to fancy their chances of winning the series.
Shreyas Iyer has done reasonably well batting at No.5 for India in Tests and there’s no brainer that he will bat in the middle with Rishabh Pant slated to bat at No.6. The keeper batter has been one of the best batters for India in Tests of late and is expected to play a vital role batting at 6.
Special Saturday, courtesy @ishankishan51 & @imVkohli
Let's end the year strong.
Tests soon pic.twitter.com/auSnGVjTPmAdvertisement— K L Rahul (@klrahul) December 10, 2022
With no Ravindra Jadeja in the side, Axar Patel is expected to play the same role in the side white Ravichandran Ashwin, who will be the second all-rounder in the side. With conditions favouring spin, India is expected to play the third spinner, and Kuldeep Yadav will fill the shoes.
With no Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah in the side, Mohammed Siraj will be the front-line pacer in the side alongside Umesh Yadav, who is expected to play a vital role for India.
Predicting India’s strongest playing XI for the first Test against Bangladesh
Here’s India’s strongest playing XI for the first Test against Bangladesh
KL Rahul (C)
Shubman Gill
Cheteshwar Pujara
Virat Kohli
Shreyas Iyer
Rishabh Pant
Axar Patel
R Ashwin
Kuldeep Yadav
Mohammed Siraj
Umesh Yadav
