India vs Bangladesh 2019: India’s predicted playing 11 for first Test

After a hard-fought win in the T20I series against Bangladesh, Team India will now shift focus to the longer version of the game. While the historic Day/Night Test to be played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata from November 22 is grabbing a lot of limelight, the two-Test series will kick-off with the first Test at Indore, starting on November 14.

As per latest reports, the pitch at Indore is expected to be a sporting one, which will afford assistance and bounce to pacers early on, but one on which batsmen can also score with ease if they get their eye in. Samandar Singh Chouhan, head curator of MPCA confirmed the same, saying “Good wicket, sporting wicket, assistance for everyone, as per the format the pitch will be good for all five days.”

Keeping the conditions in mind, here’s a look at India’s likely playing XI for the Indore Test.

Openers: Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal

Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal

Irrespective of the surface, there is no need for a change at the top. Rohit Sharma made a sensational debut as a Test opener against South Africa with two hundreds and a maiden double ton. He will seek to continue his great form against Bangladesh. Mayank Agarwal too further secured his spot at the top of the order, with a maiden double hundred to go with one century. There is not much more India could have asked of their openers.

Middle-order: Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli

The Indian middle-order is pretty much settled as the Rohit Sharma conundrum has been solved for now, with him moving to the top of the order. Cheteshwar Pujara got two fifties in the series against South Africa. However, he hasn’t registered a hundred in the last two Test series’, and that is something that the India number three will be keen to rectify.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli registered his Test-best of 254* against South Africa at Pune. The task for him will be simple - carry on his great form. Ajinkya Rahane resurrected his career with a hundred in West Indies followed by one against South Africa at Ranchi. He should now aim to carry on and get big hundreds if the opportunity arises.

All-rounder: Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja has improved his batting in Tests significantly over the last year, and batted at number six in the South Africa series. Since his unbeaten 86 against England at The Oval last September, he has scored 100 not out against West Indies at Rajkot, and has half-centuries in Australia and West Indies. Against the Proteas, he made 91 at Pune and 51 at Ranchi. He had a good run with the ball as well, finishing with 13 wickets in three Tests.

Ravichandran Ashwin should occupy the main spinner’s slot and spearhead India's bowling lineup. He had a seven-for at Visakhapatnam, and four-for at Pune. He did not have much to do at Ranchi as the pacers ran riot.

Wicket-keeper: Wriddhiman Saha

Wriddhiman Saha

With Rishabh Pant failing in West Indies, India decided to hand the gloves back to the experienced Wriddhiman Saha for the Tests against South Africa. And, Saha was extremely impressive behind the stumps, bringing all his expertise into play. India are likely to continue with Saha as the first-choice wicket-keeper as Pant continues his struggles. Saha though will need to improve his performance with the bat, as he hasn’t been getting a lot of runs of late.

Bowlers: Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami

Left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem made an impressive Test debut at Ranchi, but is not part of the squad for the current series. Though Kuldeep Yadav has been chosen in the 15, India are likely to go in with three pacers, considering the true nature of the pitch. Ishant Sharma, who was rested at Ranchi, should make his way back in the playing 11. The fast bowler bowled reasonably against South Africa but picked up only two wickets.

Mohammed Shami was brilliant, running through South Africa in the second innings at Visakhapatnam, and then again claiming important wickets at Ranchi. Umesh Yadav was a revelation on his comeback, finishing with 11 wickets in two Tests.