India has recalled Rishabh Pant to the Test squad for the first match of their two-Test series against Bangladesh, which starts on September 19 in Chennai. This will be Pant’s first Test appearance since his severe accident in December 2022. On the other hand, Shreyas Iyer failed to find a place in the Indian squad.
After a long recovery period, Pant made a notable return during the IPL, scoring 446 runs in 13 matches. He also contributed to India’s successful T20 World Cup campaign and played an ODI in Sri Lanka. Recently, he featured in the opening game of the Duleep Trophy. Pant last played a Test match just before his accident and is now back at the start of the Indian home season. The squad also includes Dhruv Jurel as another wicketkeeper.
Bengal pacer Akash Deep secured the spot as the third seamer, joining Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Akash impressed in the Duleep Trophy with nine wickets, including a five-wicket haul. Although Mukesh Kumar, who has three Test caps, was left out, Yash Dayal, an uncapped left-arm fast bowler, was included in the squad. Mukesh Kumar, along with Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, and KS Bharat, has missed out after the England series.
In the middle order, KL Rahul returns alongside Sarfaraz Khan, who had a strong debut series against England with three half-centuries in six innings. Rahul missed most of the previous series against England due to an injury. The squad also features a spin quartet of R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav.
The first Test will be played in Chennai, followed by the second Test in Kanpur starting on September 27. After the Test series, the teams will play three T20Is between October 6 and 12.
India’s squad for the first Test includes: Rohit Sharma (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, and Yash Dayal.