Rishabh Pant and Virat Kohli's imminent return headlined India's squad for the first Test against Bangladesh that was announced on Sunday. (More Cricket News)
Uttar Pradesh left-arm pacer Yash Dayal has also received his maiden India call-up as he has also been included in the 16-man squad. Rohit Sharma continues to lead the side with most regulars retaining their place in the side.
However, Mohammed Shami's return to the Indian side is still awaited as he continues to recover from an ankle surgery.
Among the players who made their debuts during the England home series, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel and Akash Deep have managed to hold on to their positions.
Pant who had been out of cricketing action for a long period after a horrific road accident in December 2022 is back in the Indian Test side. The wicket-keeper batter had been India's trusted gloveman in the longest format before this accident. His last Test was too against Bangladesh in December 2022.
Kohli, who had missed the five-Test home series against England earlier this year, also returns to the side and will take up his usual No 4 position.
India squad for 1st Bangladesh 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
India's two Test series against Bangladesh begins September 19 in Chennai. The second Test of the series will be played at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur which will host an international match after a gap of five years. The second and final Test begins September 27.
Bangladesh enter this Test series on the back of a historic 2-0 whitewash of Pakistan away from home. India on the other hand last played a Test series in early 2024 where they defeated England 4-1 at home.
