Yash Dayal gets first call-up, Pant returns as India name squad for first Test against Bangladesh

Mumbai, September 8 (IANS): Pacer Yash Dayal was called up for the first time while wicketkeeper and batsman Rishabh Pant returned to the team for the first Test against Bangladesh, scheduled to be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai from September 19.

India will host Bangladesh for the two-Test series at the start of the 2024-25 home international season. The men's selection committee has picked India's 16-man squad for the first Test of the series against Bangladesh. India is also scheduled to play three T20Is against Bangladesh after the conclusion of the second Test in Kanpur.

Pant, who returned to the white-ball format at the T20 World Cup this year, will play his first Test in nearly two years following the horrific car crash that kept him out of action for the entire 2023 season.

On the other hand, Uttar Pradesh batsman Yash has been called up to the Indian national team for the first time for the opening Test of the series. He has taken 76 wickets in 24 First Class matches and 32 scalps in List A. Jasprit Bumrah will lead India's attack along with Mohammed Siraj, while Bengali batsman Akash Deep has retained his place in the Test team after making his debut against England earlier this year.

The battle for the third seamer will be between Akash and Yash if India opts for three pacers in their bowling attack.

Yashasvi Jaiswal will open the innings along with captain Rohit Sharma while Shubman Gill will retain his third spot. Virat Kohli will further strengthen the middle order. Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel have retained their places while KL Rahul has returned to the red-ball team.

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who announced his retirement from T20I cricket after winning the T20 World Cup, will continue to play dual roles for the Test team along with Axar Patel.

Ravichandran Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav will lead the spin bowling department on the rotating Chepauk pitch.

India's squad for the 1st Test against Bangladesh: Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Yash Dayal.