India Test Squad For Bangladesh Series To Be Announced After Duleep Trophy First Round

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India's Test specialists are set to commence their preparations at the iconic Chepauk Stadium in Chennai on September 12, ahead of the two-Test series against Bangladesh.

The first Test is scheduled to begin on September 19, marking the start of India's long red-ball season, which is crucial to their World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 campaign. Bangladesh will begin their training at the same venue three days later, on September 15.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to announce the squad for the series, with the final selection likely to be made following the first round of the Duleep Trophy, set to take place from September 5 to 8 in Bengaluru and Anantapur.

The tournament features several players eyeing a spot in the Test squad, including established names like Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav, and promising talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel.

Notably, several Test hopefuls such as Abhimanyu Easwaran, Devdutt Padikkal, B Sai Sudharsan, R Sai Kishore, and Yash Dayal will also be in action during the Duleep Trophy, looking to impress the selectors ahead of the Test season.

Team India's Upcoming Test Challenges

After a packed schedule of white-ball cricket, including the IPL, the T20 World Cup, and limited-overs series against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, India is shifting focus back to the longest format. The series against Bangladesh will be India's first Test engagement since their 4-1 victory over England earlier this year. India currently tops the WTC standings with a commanding 68.52 percentage points and will aim to extend their lead.

The Bangladesh series marks the beginning of a critical Test season for India. After hosting Bangladesh for two Tests, India will take on New Zealand in a three-Test home series before travelling to South Africa for white-ball matches. This will be followed by a high-profile five-Test series in Australia, making the next few months pivotal for India's WTC aspirations.

Bangladesh Riding High on Historic Success

Bangladesh enters this series with renewed confidence, having recently completed a historic 2-0 Test series sweep against Pakistan in Rawalpindi. This victory not only boosted Bangladesh's morale but also elevated them to the No. 4 spot on the WTC table with 45.83 percentage points. With momentum on their side, the Bangladesh squad will be looking to challenge India in their own backyard.

Chennai will be the battleground for the first Test, followed by the second Test in Kanpur. The series will conclude on October 12, after which the teams will compete in three T20Is.

IND Squad vs BAN: Players to Watch In Duleep Trophy

Several key players will be under the spotlight in the lead-up to the Bangladesh series. Shubman Gill and KL Rahul, both of whom have enjoyed success in red-ball cricket, will be expected to shoulder the bulk of India's batting responsibility. Additionally, Kuldeep Yadav's wrist-spin and Rishabh Pant's return behind the stumps will provide India with a solid balance.

The Duleep Trophy will also serve as a platform for younger players like Dhruv Jurel and Yashasvi Jaiswal to make a strong case for their inclusion in the Test squad. Meanwhile, the likes of Akash Deep, who made his Test debut earlier this year, will be determined to build on his performances and cement his place in the team.

A Crucial Series for the WTC

With both teams vying for valuable WTC points, the two-Test series promises to be a hard-fought contest. India, leading the table, will look to consolidate their position, while Bangladesh, eager to maintain their upward climb, will aim to put up a spirited fight.

As Chepauk gears up for the clash between these two rising powers in Test cricket, fans can expect a gripping start to what promises to be an intense and competitive red-ball season.