Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has made his comeback as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad for the first Test against Bangladesh, starting on September 19. Pant returns to Test cricket after nearly 20 months, following injuries sustained in a car accident. Rohit Sharma will lead the side, while Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah are both included in the squad. Akash Deep has been named, and young pacer Yash Dayal earned his maiden call-up.
Pant last played in a Test against Bangladesh in Mirpur from December 22-25, 2022, before being involved in a road accident on December 30. He made his return to competitive cricket earlier this year during the IPL. The 26-year-old batter also featured in India’s title-winning T20 World Cup campaign.
However, Mohammed Shami was not selected for the Test squad, despite earlier statements from Ajit Agarkar, chairman of selectors, indicating that Shami was targeting a return for the first Test against Bangladesh.
India’s extended Test season will kick off with the first of two Tests against Bangladesh in Chennai on September 19. The second Test will take place at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur from September 27 to October 1.
India and Bangladesh have faced each other in 13 Tests, with India winning 11 and two ending in draws. Bangladesh enters this series following a historic 2-0 victory over Pakistan, while India’s last Test assignment was a 4-1 win over England earlier this year.
India’s squad for the 1st Test of the Bangladesh series: Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Yash Dayal.