Bangladesh will lock horns against India in the first Test match at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram from Wednesday onwards. India is still in the WTC 2021-23 race and this is an important series for them to qualify for the finals.
We look at the current form, head-to-head, players to look out for, and squads of both teams in our match preview.
Current form of India: L W W L L
India will play Test cricket after a long time and they will try to hit the ground running. KL Rahul will lead the team in Rohit Sharma’s absence, who has been ruled out with a thumb injury. The onus will be on Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav to do the bulk of the damage. It will be interesting to note India’s spin combination.
Current form of Bangladesh: L L L D L
Bangladesh haven’t been at their best in Test matches and they will have their work cut out against a potent Indian team. The spinners will have to deliver for the home team and they will look to make the most of their own conditions. Shakib Al Hasan will have to lead from the front.
Head to Head: Matches: 11, Won by India: 9, Won by Bangladesh: 0, Drawn: 0.
India has an unbeaten record against Bangladesh in Test matches.
Players to look out for: Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ravichandran Ashwin and Mohammed Siraj will hold the key for India.
Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan, Litton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Ebadot Hossain, and Taijul Islam will be the crucial players for the hosts.
Bangladesh squad for 1st Test: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hassan Shanto, Mominul Haque, Yasir Ali Chowdhury, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan (C), Litton Das, Nurul Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Zakir Hasan, Rejaur Rahman Raja, Anamul Haque Bijoy.
India’s updated squad for Bangladesh Tests: KL Rahul (C), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara (VC), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (WK), KS Bharat (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Navdeep Saini, Saurabh Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat.
