Team India's Playing XI For 1st Test Vs Bangladesh: No Kuldeep Yadav & Axar Patel As Rohit Sharma Go With Three Pacers, Akash Deep Makes Debut

In a thrilling start to the first Test between India and Bangladesh at Chennai's iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium, India were invited to bat first after losing the toss. Captain Rohit Sharma’s decision to go with three pacers and two spinners, leaving out Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, has set the stage for what promises to be an exciting contest.

Rohit Sharma's Strategic Gambit

Rohit Sharma's team selection for this Test marks a significant shift in strategy. Opting for a combination of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and debutant Akash Deep, Sharma has chosen to rely heavily on pace. This is the first time since Kolkata 2019 that India has fielded three specialist seamers in a home Test. The choice to include Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja as the only spinners highlights Sharma's confidence in a pace-dominated approach. This decision reflects an adaptation to the pitch conditions, which promise early assistance for fast bowlers.

In his pre-match comments, Sharma noted the unusual coolness of the Chennai weather, which is expected to warm up significantly during the day. “We would have opted to bowl first as well. The pitch looks a bit soft, and we aimed to put Bangladesh under pressure right from the start,” Sharma explained. His strategic insight and adaptability will be crucial as the game progresses.

Pitch Report and Playing Conditions

The Chennai pitch, characterized by its red soil, is known for providing bounce and turn, which typically favors spinners. However, the residual moisture beneath the surface suggests that fast bowlers might enjoy some early success. According to Dinesh Karthik, “The pitch has a bit of moisture, which will benefit the fast bowlers initially. As the day progresses, it will become more conducive to spin.”

The weather conditions are equally noteworthy. The cool breeze and lower temperatures in the morning are expected to give way to the more typical Chennai heat later in the day, adding another layer of challenge for the players.

India's Playing XI: No Kuldeep, No Axar

Kuldeep Yadav’s exclusion from the playing XI has raised eyebrows. Both Kuldeep and Axar Patel, known for their spinning prowess, are left out in favor of a more pace-oriented attack. This strategic choice signifies a shift in approach, possibly aimed at leveraging the early conditions of the pitch.

The final XI for India includes:

1. Rohit Sharma (C)
2. Yashasvi Jaiswal
3. Shubman Gill
4. Virat Kohli
5. KL Rahul
6. Rishabh Pant (WK)
7. Ravindra Jadeja
8. Ravichandran Ashwin
9. Jasprit Bumrah
10. Akash Deep
11. Mohammed Siraj

Bangladesh’s Approach

Bangladesh’s captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, having won the toss, opted to bowl first, mirroring the challenges that the pitch conditions might pose. Shanto’s decision to capitalize on the pitch’s moisture reflects his confidence in his seamers, who will be tasked with exploiting the early conditions.

Bangladesh’s lineup includes:

1. Shadman Islam
2. Zakir Hasan
3. Najmul Hossain Shanto (C)
4. Mominul Haque
5. Mushfiqur Rahim
6. Litton Das (WK)
7. Shakib Al Hasan
8. Mehidy Hasan Miraz
9. Hasan Mahmud
10. Taskin Ahmed
11. Nahid Rana