Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 16 (ANI): As Team India gears up for the first Test match against Bangladesh in Chennai, skipper Rohit Sharma hit the practice grounds, showcasing his dedication and readiness for the upcoming series.

The highly anticipated two-match Test series between India and Bangladesh is set to commence on September 19 at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium. Following this, the second Test will be held in Kanpur starting on September 27.

Rohit Sharma took to his Instagram to share several snapshots from the practice session, giving fans a glimpse of his preparation. Interestingly, during the training at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Rohit was seen engaging in a game of football, a common warm-up activity for cricketers that helps with agility and team bonding.

Joining Rohit Sharma in the practice were key players Ravichandran Ashwin and Rishabh Pant, highlighting the team’s collective effort to fine-tune their skills ahead of the series.

Rohit Sharma will continue his role as the captain of the Test side. Notably, fast bowlers Akash Deep and Yash Dayal have received their maiden call-ups to the squad, adding fresh talent to the team. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant’s return to Test cricket marks a significant milestone in his career, as he makes his comeback following a life-threatening accident in December 2022.

Currently, India sits at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings with a points percentage of 68.52. The upcoming WTC fixtures for India include two home Tests against Bangladesh, three home Tests against New Zealand, and five away Tests against Australia.

Bangladesh arrives in India with strong momentum, having recently achieved a historic 2-0 series whitewash against Pakistan on Pakistani soil. They claimed a dominant 10-wicket victory in the first Test, followed by a solid six-wicket win in the second Test.

India’s squad for the first Test against Bangladesh is as follows: 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, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Yash Dayal.

The Bangladesh squad includes: Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Kumer Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Nahid Rana, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Syed Khaled Ahmed, and Jaker Ali Anik. (ANI)