Rishabh Pant returns to India's test squad against Bangladesh - see the full team

India has named a strong 16-member squad for the first Test against Bangladesh, scheduled later this month in Chennai. The big news is the return of Rishabh Pant, making his first appearance in the Test squad since December 2022. Rohit Sharma will lead the side, while Yash Dayal, an uncapped left-arm pacer, has earned a call-up.

The squad features a balanced mix of spin and pace. The spin department is stacked with Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav. On the pace front, Jasprit Bumrah will spearhead the attack, supported by Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, and the new face, Yash Dayal, adding variety with his left-arm option.

India’s top order looks formidable with the likes of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli. KL Rahul, who can also keep wickets, and Sarfaraz Khan bolster the middle order. Despite missing out on Shreyas Iyer, India’s batting remains solid.

Dhruv Jurel, the promising wicketkeeper, retains his place alongside Pant, offering India flexibility behind the stumps. With Shubman Gill’s versatility, he may continue at No. 3, especially after impressing in previous outings.

This match will kick off India's Test series against Bangladesh, part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship. The first Test will be hosted in Chennai, followed by the second match in Kanpur. This series is crucial as India looks to solidify its standing in the World Test Championship rankings.

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

With a mix of veterans and fresh talent, India is poised for a thrilling series against Bangladesh. All eyes will be on how the team manages to blend this dynamic mix of experience and youth.