IND vs BAN: With Sarfaraz set to feature for Duleep Trophy round 2, KL Rahul will lead India's middle-order in the 1st Test

IND vs BAN: India will host Bangladesh for a 2-match Test series, with the first test to be played at Chepauk from the 19th of September. The two-match series will be the initiation of India?s hectic red-ball schedule, which will comprise the players competing in 10 test matches that conclude with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Several players, as per the ultimatum of the BCCI, have participated in the Duleep Trophy opening round, which earned a Test return for many players like KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, who returned to the format after almost 21 months of absence due to an extended recovery from injury.

India selectors have included the likes of young batters like Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel into the side as well, keeping in mind their contributions to India?s success in the last England series. As far as new names are concerned, Akash Deep, who is one year old, takes the place of the fourth pacer in the team, while Yash Dayal receives his maiden call to the Indian team.

India?s Squad for Bangladesh Tests: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravi Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, and Yash Dayal.

India had announced a 16-member squad for the series, while now, as per reports, Sarfaraz Khan is all set to appear in the Duleep Trophy second round. Sarfaraz, who featured for India B in the first-round match, will resume action at the Duleep Trophy second round for the side.

Hence, KL Rahul, India?s long-served red-ball opener, will now be seen in the role of a middle-order batter, as he might come in at No. 5, his usual spot in the one-day side. Now with Sarfaraz gone, Rahul is sure to feature for India in the first test match.

India's Best Possible Playing XI:

Openers: Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal

India can often rely on their opening pair of veteran skipper Rohit Sharma and young, talented Yashasvi Jaiswal, as they will be India?s fixed opening pair in the longer format until the WTC.

Middle-Order: Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant

India?s three-format player and the newly appointed vice-captain of white-ball cricket, Shubman Gill, is set to play in the first test as their No. 3 batter. Though Gill?s form has been a concern in recent times.

Indian veteran since the Sri Lanka ODI?s will make his return to India on the 12th of this month to join the Indian side in their training session at Chepauk before the first test. Virat will also be on the quest to revive his form before India embarks on their remarkable journey to Australia for the BGT.

Both KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant are making a comeback into the Test side of the Indian team after they performed recently in the Duleep Trophy. Pant?s return has been long anticipated, and the day has finally come as he will feature as their wicketkeeper batter.

All-Rounders: Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel

Jadeja, the star Indian all-rounder ranked by the ICC as the No. 1 all-rounder in Tests, will once again feature for India, despite being withdrawn from the Duleep Trophy 2024 after being named in the squad initially.

Axar, who is now India?s frontline all-rounder, will be the second all-rounder if India does look to feature two all-rounders in the Test team.

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Spinners: Ravi Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin has emerged as an all-rounder for India, as he has proved to be effective with the bat for India in the longest format of the game. Hence, alongside being India?s frontline spinner, he can often replace Axar Patel from the side.

Pace bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Yash Dayal, and Akash Deep

Siraj has not been the finest when it comes to red-ball cricket; hence, it will be a wise decision to have him dropped in order to make his place for Akash Deep, who seems to be in fine form and holds a similar accuracy of line and length as that of Mohammad Shami.

Jasprit Bumrah will make a return to the field after the T20 World Cup, and he will lead India?s pace attack. Also, left-hand pacer Yash Dayal, who received his maiden test call, might feature in the 11 immediately, as India for long has been in search of a left-arm pacer who can take the ball away from right-handers.