New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the Indian squad for the first Test match against Bangladesh, starting on September 19.
Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant returns to the Indian squad after nearly 20 months due to an injury.
Rohit Sharma will lead the team as captain, while Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah are also included in the squad.
Akash Deep has earned a spot in the squad, while young pacer Yash Dayal received his maiden call-up to the Indian Test side.
Pant last played for India in the second Test against Bangladesh in Mirpur from December 22-25, 2022. Afterward, he suffered injuries in a car accident on December 30, returning to full cricket only during this year’s IPL.
The 26-year-old Rishabh Pant made his return to the national team during the T20 World Cup, which India won.
However, Mohammed Shami was not included in the squad despite earlier suggestions from selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar that he might make a comeback.
India’s two-match Test series against Bangladesh will begin on September 19 in Chennai. The second Test will be held in Kanpur from September 27 to October 1.
India and Bangladesh have played 13 Test matches so far, with India winning 11 and two ending in draws.
India’s squad for the 1st Test: Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Yash Dayal.
