The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Men’s Selection Committee has announced the squad for India’s second Test against Bangladesh. According to the BCCI’s release, the selection committee retained the same squad that featured in the first Test.
The second Test is set to take place in Kanpur, starting on 27th September.
There was speculation regarding KL Rahul’s spot in the team following his performance in the first Test at Chepauk, but the selectors have decided to give him another opportunity. It will be interesting to see if Sarfaraz Khan is considered for the playing XI in Rahul’s place.
The full squad is as follows: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, and Yash Dayal.
In the first Test, India’s spin duo of Ashwin and Jadeja dominated Bangladesh’s batting lineup, securing a comprehensive 280-run victory at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday. Ashwin, who was named Player of the Match, claimed 6 wickets for 88 runs, along with a century, marking a stellar all-round performance in his home ground. This victory also marked a successful start for Gautam Gambhir as India’s head coach.
Bangladesh, resuming at 158/4 on the final day, showed early resistance as captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (82) and Shakib Al Hasan added 36 runs without losing a wicket in the first hour. However, tight bowling by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj kept things under control for India.
Ravindra Jadeja eventually broke the partnership by dismissing Shanto, who top-edged a cut shot to Bumrah at extra cover, leaving Bangladesh at 222/8. Ashwin then claimed his seventh five-wicket haul in the fourth innings of a Test, equaling Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan’s record, with only Rangana Herath ahead with 12.
Ashwin wrapped up the innings by taking his sixth wicket, dismissing Taskin Ahmed. Ravindra Jadeja applied the finishing touch by clean bowling Hasan Mahmud, securing India’s win and giving them a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.