3 positives from India's squad selection for the Bangladesh Test series ft. Rishabh Pant's return
Team India have plenty of Test cricket on the calendar, in a welcome sight for lovers of the longest format. After facing Bangladesh in a two-Test series at home, Rohit Sharma and Co. will welcome New Zealand before embarking on a difficult tour of Australia.
The BCCI recently named India's squad for the Bangladesh assignment, and it was along expected lines. All the experienced players - barring Mohammed Shami, who is still recovering from injury - have been named in the side.
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), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Yash Dayal.
In a way, it's a hugely encouraging sign that India were able to name a squad without any contentious picks. Selection has been a major talking point over the last two years, and things seem to be progressing in the right direction.
On that note, here are three positive signs from India's squad selection for the Bangladesh Test series.
#3 Rishabh Pant is back with a (wk) next to his name
Given how Rishabh Pant's comeback has been incident-free, this was always on the cards. The keeper-batter even played in the Duleep Trophy without any problems and was his aggressive self.
However, it's still a major positive to see the world's best Test wicket-keeper return to the Indian team, with a (wk) next to his name. Dhruv Jurel stepped in well against England, but Pant is Pant, and he makes the team considerably more formidable.
Pant will be key as India look to take on the Bangladesh spinners and set themselves up for more challenging outings against New Zealand and Australia.
#2 There are no doubts regarding India's frontline side
India have only two selection questions when it comes to their playing XI for the first Test - KL Rahul or Sarfaraz Khan, and Kuldeep Yadav or Axar Patel. The first seems to be a straightforward one, with Sarfaraz being retained in the Duleep Trophy squads for the second round of matches.
And while Kuldeep vs Axar might be a talking point, it still isn't a major concern. Both players are more than capable of getting the job done, with the former being a major asset with the ball and the latter lengthening the batting unit by a considerable margin.
Going into the first Test against Bangladesh, there are no doubts regarding India's frontline batters and bowlers. The selected squad assures that in a way, with an emphasis on sticking to the core that has gotten them through the last year or so.
#1 India have named a squad for the first Test alone, with workload management clearly on the agenda
The BCCI announced the squad for the first Test alone, meaning that there might be a few tweaks for the second Test based on how the opening encounter progresses. If India register a comfortable win, we could see workload management be on the cards.
Jasprit Bumrah is India's biggest asset with the ball, and he needs to be kept as fit as possible ahead of the Australia tour. He, along with Mohammed Siraj, could be tasked with focusing on the upcoming assignments instead of putting themselves at injury risk against the relatively unfancied Bangladesh.
Even the spin-bowling all-rounders, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, might consider giving the second Test a skip. They will be of vital importance against the Kiwis, and both players aren't known for staying injury-free.