New Delhi, Sep 18 (SocialNews.XYZ) Amidst an intense heatwave sweeping through Chennai, a formidable Indian cricket team is gearing up to kick off its international home season with a bang against a confident Bangladesh squad in the opening Test series at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday.

India returns to the red-ball format after a six-month hiatus, having last showcased their prowess with a resounding 4-1 victory against England in January. On the other hand, Bangladesh arrives buoyed by a historic 2-0 series win over Pakistan in Rawalpindi, marking their first-ever series triumph against Pakistan in Test cricket. This remarkable feat signifies that Bangladesh is not to be underestimated this time around.

The anticipation surrounding this Test series is palpable, given Bangladesh’s recent form and India’s dominance on home soil. Unlike previous editions, often criticized for being one-sided, this series promises a more competitive clash.

The red-soil pitch at MA Chidambaram Stadium is expected to offer good bounce and carry, but with the mercury soaring in Chennai, spinners are likely to play a pivotal role. India will welcome back key players such as Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul after extended absences. Their return means promising talents like Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel will start on the bench. The trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav will be instrumental in leading India’s spin attack. Their contributions with the bat could also prove crucial in distinguishing between a respectable total and a winning score.

For Bangladesh, their confidence is bolstered by their recent success, and they are determined to continue their impressive run. The spin-friendly conditions in Chennai mean either Taijul Islam or Nayeem Hasan is likely to feature in the playing eleven. Head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe has expressed confidence in his team’s well-rounded capabilities, highlighting their blend of crafty spinners, exciting pacers, and resilient batters.

Although overcoming India on their home turf seems daunting, Bangladesh’s nothing-to-lose attitude could make them a formidable opponent under the unforgiving Chennai sun. For India, starting strong and asserting their dominance early will be crucial to maintaining their home advantage.

India Squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Yash Dayal.

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

Catch all the action starting at 9:30 AM on JioCinema (digital) and Sports18 (TV).