India vs Bangladesh, 1st Test Predicted XI: Axar vs Kuldeep for 3rd spinner's spot

India is all set to begin their new season with the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai on September 19, Thursday. The Indian team is settled at the moment with the only point of discussion being the inclusion of a third spinner in the form of either Axar Patel or Kuldeep Yadav.

In Short

• India will start a 10 Test stretch with the Bangladesh series
• Red soil will be used for the pitch at the Chepauk
• India will welcome back Pant and Rahul into the side

India are all set to begin a stretch of 10 Tests with the Bangladesh series beginning in Chennai on September 19, Thursday. The Indian team will be stepping out on the field in the longest format of the game for the first time with Gautam Gambhir as the coach as they will aim to start on a high. India have welcomed back the likes of Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul back into the squad for the first Test.

Gambhir has confirmed that both men will be back in the mix as India seem to be settled for the match at the Chepauk. The series is viewed with atmost importance by the Indian team as they look to make it to the World Test Championship Final once again. However, Bangladesh will be no pushovers as they come into the series with form on their side.

Bangladesh pulled off a historic win in Pakistan as they outplayed Shan Masood and his team in all departments. With WTC points at stake, the series is expected to be a thrilling one.

India vs Bangladesh: Squads

India squad for 1st Test:

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.

Bangladesh:

Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Kumar Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Nahid Rana, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Jaker Ali Anik.

India vs Bangladesh, 1st Test: Predicted XI

The batting order will see captain Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal opening the batting, followed by Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli. Rahul and Pant will be expected to follow after them, with Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin adding more steel to the batting order. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are expected to be the pacers in the side. India will be looking to go with a third spinner for the match, with Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav expected to go head-to-head in a direct shootout for the spot.

Axar has picked up 7 wickets in his only match at the Chepauk. In addition to this, Axar will provide more strength to the batting as well. This could mean we may get to see him get the nod over Kuldeep. However, the pitch at the Chepauk is a red soil one and it could dry up quickly.

This means that India may opt to go with an extra seamer in the form of Akash Deep as well.

For Bangladesh, they will keep faith in the side that got them success in Pakistan, with Taijul Islam being the only addition.

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel/ Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

Bangladesh: Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana