BCCI picked the Indian squad for the first Bangladesh Test which is to be played from 19th September. With Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul returning to the squad, India has a strong batting unit and will be relying on their pace quartet featuring the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Yash Dayal and Akash Deep.

Experienced off-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin will be spearheading the turners’ department while he will have the assistance of Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja. Former Australian cricketer, Brad Hogg, while talking on his YouTube channel has opened up on the playing XI that he will be preferring for India.

Hogg opted to axe Axar Patel and KL Rahul from the playing XI, saying, “The XI that I am going to the first Test match against Bangladesh for India – Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma open the batting. Gill at three, Kohli at 4, and Jadeja coming at five just to keep that left-handed right-hand combination going. Sarfaraz Khan, Pant and then you’re into the bowlers, where you’ve got Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj, and Bumrah.”

He also added why this Indian cricket team will be the right fit to travel Down Under, stating, “That team will go pretty well down in Australia as well. So, they’ve got to start warming up for the Australian summer. India, so this will be a good start for them. No KL Rahul or Axar Patel in my playing XI.”

India will be playing five Test matches against Australia later in the year which will be their last series ahead of the upcoming year’s WTC final. They currently sit at the top of the points table with a win percentage of 68.52.