India predicted XI vs Bangladesh 1st Test: KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant confirmed as Gautam Gambhir drops big hint

India predicted XI vs Bangladesh 1st Test: KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant confirmed as Gautam Gambhir drops big hint (PTI)

India predicted XI vs Bangladesh 1st Test: Rohit Sharma-led Team India are ready for fresh challenge as the series against Bangladesh gets underway from Thursday. The first game of the two-match series will be played at the Chepauk stadium in Chennai, which is renowned for assisting the spinners. Keeping this in mind, the team is expected to line three spinners going into the contest. Meanwhile, the pace department is expected to be spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah, who makes a return to international cricket after a long break.

Also earlier on Wednesday, head coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed that with Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul being available, players like Dhruv Jurel and Sarfaraz Khan will have to wait for opportunities. “We don’t drop anyone. We just pick the players who fit the XI. We believe in selecting the XI. Jurel is a phenomenal player when Pant is coming in, sometimes people have to wait. Same with Sarfaraz. There will be opportunities and you have to wait,” he said.

In this article we take a look at how India's playing XI could look like:

Rohit Sharma will open the innings and in all likelihood Yashasvi Jaiswal is expected to open the innings with him. This will provide the team with a left-right combination at the top. Shubman Gill should occupy the number three spot and can prove to be a handy option if India lose either of the openers early in the contest.

Virat Kohli walks in at number four and will be followed by KL Rahul, who despite being under fire has got the backing of skipper Rohit. Rishabh Pant's inclusion was confirmed by head coach Gambhir in the press conference earlier in the day.

If we shift our focus to the bowling department, India are expected to field three spinners given the history at Chepauk. In all likelihood R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav will form the Indian spin troika, with the first two also adding depth in batting.

Meanwhile, Bumrah and Siraj, who are the most experienced pacers in the squad, are expected to spearhead the attack against Bangladesh, who head into the series after completing a historic clean sweep against Pakistan at their own backyard.

India predicted XI vs Bangladesh 1st Test:

Openers - Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal

Top and middle order - Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul

Wicketkeeper - Rishabh Pant

All-rounder - Ravindra Jadeja

Spinners - R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav

Pacers - Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj