India's strongest playing XI for the Bangladesh Test series
International cricket involving the Indian team is less than 10 days away, with the first Test against Bangladesh scheduled to commence on September 19 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The BCCI recently named a strong squad for the opening game.
Mohammed Shami is the only absentee due to injury, with Yash Dayal earning his maiden call-up to the national side in his place. Rohit Sharma will once again lead the hosts, who have all their other first-choice players to call upon.
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.
What will their best side look like? Here is India's strongest playing XI for the Bangladesh Test series.
Openers: Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal
India's opening combination is fairly settled in the Test format. Rohit Sharma is arguably the best Test opener in the world, while Yashasvi Jaiswal is on course to become an all-time great. The duo, who are excellent players of spin, will look to give their side bright starts.
Middle order: Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Ravindra Jadeja
Shubman Gill came into his own towards the end of the England Test series, even if his Test career hasn't been all too convincing in the top order. India are likely to stick with him at No. 3, although his long-term future might be at a position or two lower in the lineup.
Virat Kohli's ability to play long innings has diminished slightly, but he's still one of the best in the world. Needless to say, the No. 4 spot has his name written on it.
India will need to choose between Sarfaraz Khan and KL Rahul in the middle order. While the latter might be a better bet for the upcoming tour of Australia and might thus be picked for some continuity, the former is a better player of spin and could be crucial in countering Bangladesh's spinners.
Ravindra Jadeja, arguably India's most important Test player, will round off the middle order.
Lower order: Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
Ravichandran Ashwin can help himself to a bagful of wickets against Bangladesh and may even chip in with a few runs at his home ground. Ashwin and Jadeja are straightforward picks, but what about Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav?
Only one of the two can be picked in the XI, and each of them offers different skill sets. Kuldeep's bowling form has been incredible, and he should thus get the nod over Axar, who offers a world of stability and consistency with the bat.
Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will be the team's frontline pacers, although Akash Deep is making a serious case for himself with his performances in domestic competitions.