IND vs BAN: Key insights on Chennai pitch, weather conditions and team updates
Xtra Time Web Desk: India is gearing up to kick off its much-anticipated home season with a Test series against Bangladesh, starting Thursday at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium. This marks India's first Test since March when they played at the picturesque HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala under captain Rohit Sharma.
The hosts, who boast a formidable home record of 40 wins from 44 matches in the past decade, are looking to maintain their dominance. However, Bangladesh, yet to claim a Test victory against India, will aim to turn the tables. In the 13 Test encounters between the two teams, Bangladesh has lost 11 matches, while two ended in draws.
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With a place in the World Test Championship final on the line, India welcomes back star players Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant, creating a selection headache for team management. Meanwhile, Bangladesh, buoyed by strong performances in their recent series against Pakistan, will rely on in-form players like Nahid Rana and Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
This series will be Bangladesh's first Test visit to India since 2019, when India hosted their maiden pink-ball Test in Kolkata. India won that series convincingly, and the last time the two teams met in Tests was in 2022, where India secured a 1–0 victory in Bangladesh.
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Chennai’s pitch is expected to assist spinners, particularly after the third day, but pacers might find some assistance early on. India faces the tough decision of whether to play a third spinner, likely Kuldeep Yadav, or a third pacer, with Akash Deep and Yash Dayal competing for the spot. Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir will be keen to finalize the lineup with an eye on the conditions.
The weather in Chennai is expected to be mostly clear during the test match. Temperatures will reach about 35°C during the day and 28°C at night on the opening day of the first Test, with a 23% chance of rain and winds at 10-15 km/h. However, september 21 is forecasted to be mostly cloudy with warm temperatures around 36°C and a 25% chance of rain.
Bangladesh, under the leadership of Najmul Hossain Shanto, will be looking to put up a stiff challenge, while India will seek a strong start to their home season with their experienced core of players leading the charge.
Full Squads
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Yash Dayal.
Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Litton Das (wk), Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Jaker Ali Anik.
