Focus on Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant as Indian team train ahead of first test | BANvsIND

Indian players involved in a fun game ahead of their training session at Zahur Ahmed Chaudhury Stadium on Monday. Photo: Debasis Sen

Xtra Time Web Desk: The Indian team management has more or less zeroed in on the likely playing XI for the first test match against Bangladesh, starting at the Zahur Ahmed Chaudhury Stadium in Chittagong from Wednesday, December 14.

Stand in captain KL Rahul will open the batting with Shubman Gill. The duo were the first to walk into bat at the nets. They faced Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Siraj who are likely to be the main pacers in the side. As far as spinners are concerned, Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel are likely to be preferred. Both Ashwin and Axar were seen bowling inn tandem at the practice nets.

Cheteshwar Pujara will walk in at No 3 followed by Virat Kohli. The former India captain batted twice at the nets and looked confident following the hundred he got in the third ODI against Bangladesh.  

The Indian team management will be relieved as Rishabh Pant is fine and looked in no discomfort at the practice session. The left hander apart from practicing wicket-keeping drills also batted alongside Shreyas Iyer. The KKR captain was seen undergoing some special practice for short ball. He faced throwdowns from Raghu who was seen bouncing the ball on a slate.

As far as the playing XI is concerned, the only bone of contention will be whether to go in with an extra seamer or a spinner. If the team management decides to go with an extra pacer, then Shardul Thakur will walk in else Kuldeep Yadav can get a nod.

Bengal captain Abhimanyu Easwaran and KS Bharat might have to wait for their opportunity. The practice session started with some fun drills as the players were involved in a game with frisbee. Head Coach Rahul Dravid was seen giving a pep-talk before the training session.

Indian team are scheduled to have an optional train in the afternoon on Tuesday.