Is Kuldeep Yadav playing today's IND vs BAN 2024 1st Test? 

Kuldeep Yadav has been omitted from India's playing XI for the first Test against Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, beginning on Thursday, September 19. The wrist-spinner was in contention along with Axar Patel to feature as the team's third tweaker behind Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

However, the overcast conditions and the red soil pitch made India alter their bowling combination. The Men in Blue named three seamers - Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, and Akash Deep - along with the two veteran spinners to complete their attack.

Skipper Rohit Sharma confirmed Kuldeep's absence from the playing XI during the toss.

"We would have also done the same with challenging conditions on offer. We want to focus on what is at hand, not what is ahead of us. We came here, had good prep ahead of this game and have done everything that has to be done. We have gone with three seamers, Akash Deep, Bumrah, Siraj, Ashwin and Jadeja," Rohit Sharma said at the toss after being put into bat first.

Kuldeep Yadav had featured in most of India's last Test series against England at home earlier in the year. He also picked up eight wickets in his sole outing against Bangladesh in Chattogram two years ago.

Kuldeep Yadav has taken 53 wickets in 12 Tests so far

The left-arm spinner's improved batting credentials were supposed to help his case in terms of selection following his all-round heroics in the England series at home. However, with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia looming, the Men in Blue will be focused on honing their fast-bowling resources and making surfaces oriented towards the same.

All is not lost for Kuldeep Yadav though as India are primed to play four more home Tests in quick succession, with the next scheduled in Kanpur.

As of writing, India have made a cautious start against the Bangladesh seamers in testing conditions. The hosts are placed at 4-0 after three overs in the first innings on Day 1.

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