India’s Test squad for the upcoming series against Bangladesh has been announced, and it features the return of several key players, including Rishabh Pant, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah. This marks Pant’s comeback to the Test format after a hiatus of nearly 20 months, while Kohli and Bumrah last played in the T20 World Cup. The first Test will begin on September 19th at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, with the second and final Test scheduled for Green Park Stadium in Kanpur starting on September 27th.
The squad announcement has generated considerable interest due to the absence of several prominent players. Notably, Shreyas Iyer and Mohammed Shami were not included. Iyer’s exclusion comes as a surprise to many considering his recent form in ODIs and a solid half-century in the Duleep Trophy. However, his inconsistent performances in red-ball cricket, combined with a challenging 2024, seem to have influenced the selectors’ decision. Earlier this year, Iyer suffered an injury during the Test series against England, which sidelined him. His removal from the BCCI’s central contracts, due to his unavailability for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy, further impacted his selection chances. While his recent appearances in longer formats, such as the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament and the Duleep Trophy’s first innings, were not particularly impressive, he did lead Kolkata Knight Riders to victory in the IPL 2024.
The competition for middle-order spots in the Indian Test side has intensified, with Sarfaraz Khan’s emergence and KL Rahul’s consistent performances pushing Iyer down the order. As for Mohammed Shami, BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar had hinted at his potential return for the Bangladesh series. However, Shami is still working on his comeback and wasn’t named in the Test squad. He is expected to play for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy, commencing on October 11th, before becoming eligible for national selection. Speculation also suggests that Shami could miss at least the first Test of the subsequent three-match series against New Zealand.
The inclusion of Pant, Kohli, and Bumrah adds significant experience and firepower to the Indian Test squad. Pant’s return is especially welcome as he has been a valuable asset in the Test format, known for his aggressive batting and wicketkeeping skills. The team will be looking to build on their recent success and maintain their dominance in the Test arena.
