Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 14 (ANI): Team India has commenced their rigorous practice sessions ahead of the eagerly anticipated first Test against Bangladesh, scheduled to begin on September 19. The two-match Test series will take place at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, followed by the second Test starting on September 27 in Kanpur.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir, stepping into his first Test assignment with the national team, is determined to lead India to a series victory. The training session saw the participation of key players, including the formidable spin quartet of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav. Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah was also in attendance, alongside celebrated batsmen such as captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared glimpses of the practice session on their official X handle, tweeting, “Preps in full swing here in Chennai! Inching closer to the #INDvBAN Test opener #TeamIndia | @IDFCFIRSTBank”. The tweet has generated significant excitement among fans and followers of Indian cricket.

Rohit Sharma continues his leadership role for the Test side. Notably, pacers Akash Deep and Yash Dayal have earned their maiden call-ups, while Rishabh Pant makes a triumphant return to Test cricket following his life-threatening accident in December 2022. This series also marks Virat Kohli’s return to the Test format for the first time since India’s tour of South Africa in January this year. Kohli had missed India’s home Test series against England due to the birth of his son, Akaay.

Since then, Kohli has faced challenges, including a modest performance in the T20 World Cup and a challenging tour of Sri Lanka. During the T20 World Cup, he accumulated 151 runs in eight matches at an average of 18.87. In the ODI series against Sri Lanka, Kohli struggled against spin, managing just 58 runs in three matches at an average of 19.33.

KL Rahul also rejoins the Test squad after recovering from an injury that sidelined him for most of the England series. Jasprit Bumrah, hailed as a “national treasure,” returns to the team for the first time since his match-winning spell in the T20 World Cup final against South Africa earlier this year.

India’s spin department, comprising Ashwin, Jadeja, Axar, and Kuldeep, will play pivotal roles with both bat and ball. The pace attack features Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Yash Dayal. Akash Deep’s selection follows his impressive performance in the Duleep Trophy, and Yash Dayal earns his maiden call-up.

Following the series against Bangladesh, Rohit Sharma’s team will prepare for New Zealand’s tour of India for three Tests starting on October 16. This will be followed by the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia, beginning November 22.

India’s squad for the 1st Test against Bangladesh includes: 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, and Yash Dayal. (ANI)