BAN vs IND: 1st Test Preview – KL Rahul leads India’s WTC prospects

Bangladesh and India will lock horns for a two-match Test series starting December 14, 2022. The first match will be played at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram. India faced a major blow during the recently concluded ODI series as skipper Rohit Sharma was ruled out. Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami’s unavailability led to BCCI making changes to the squad.

Not just India, but Bangladesh also received a setback ahead of the first Test as skipper Shakib Al Hasan was taken to the hospital for a medical check-up midway during the practice session after he complained of pain in his ribs. On the other hand, Taskin Ahmed has also been rested, which means the hosts will also have to take some important calls.

The two Tests are very important for India as they look to play the World Test Championship Finals next year. In order to qualify for the summit clash, India needs to win the Bangladesh series by 2-0, and later win the home series against Australia too. Bangladesh, on the other hand, are out of the WTC Final race.

Pitch and conditions

The Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium’s surface will benefit the batters early in the game. However, the wicket has historically favoured the spinners after gradually degrading post the third day’s play. Both teams have elite spinners on their roster, and it will be a good fight between the two sides.

Venue details: Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram

Last Test match at the venue: BAN: 465/10 | SL: 397/10 & 260/6

Here’s the probable playing XI for Bangladesh vs India clash:

Bangladesh:

Bangla tigers dominated India in the first two ODIs, but India have been going well in the Test format recently. The Asian side has played eight Tests this year, having won just one and losing six.

Litton Das (c), Anamul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Ebadot Hossain

India:

It will be challenging for India to go past Bangladesh on their soil. Out of the five Tests that India have played this year, they’ve won two while losing the other three. But then, India have never lost a Test match against Bangladesh.

Shubhman Gill, KL Rahul (c), Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj