After a shocking loss in the ODIs, Team India will look to turn things around when they lock horns with Bangladesh in a two-match Test series. Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram will host the first match, starting on Wednesday, December 14.
The upcoming two matches hold immense significance for India in terms of their qualification for the World Test Championship final. Two wins out of as many games will keep them in contention for a final berth.
The tourists will miss the services of regular skipper Rohit Sharma, who has been ruled out with a thumb injury. KL Rahul will lead the side in his absence, while Test veteran Cheteshwar Pujara has been named as his deputy. Shubman Gill is likely to open the innings along with Rahul.
Test-mode 🔛
Preps done, all set for the #BANvIND Test 👌#TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/yqX2iDXYrm
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 13, 2022
India will also miss the services of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Ravindra Jadeja, who have all been ruled out with injuries. The onus will be on Ravichandran Ashwin and Umesh Yadav to lead India’s bowling unit.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, will likely be without Taskin Ahmed and could be weakened further if Shakib Al Hasan doesn’t make the cut after being hit on his rib cage by Umran Malik in the second ODI. He was taken for a precautionary check on Tuesday and is still under observation. However, they have a strong spin unit, which will keep the Indian batters on their toes.
Match Details
Details: India (IND) vs Bangladesh (BAN), 1st Test
Date and Time: 14th December 2022, 9:00 am IST
Venue: Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram
Pitch Report
The wicket is known for its conditions favouring batters and both teams will be put to task in picking 20 wickets on the playing surface here.
Predicted Playing XIs
India (IND): KL Rahul (c), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Siraj.
Bangladesh (BAN): Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque, Shakib al Hasan (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Anamul Haque/Yasir Ali, Mehidy Hasan, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam/Taijul Islam and Taskin Ahmed.
Match Prediction
India have never lost a Test match against Bangladesh and they will start as the overwhelming favourite to win the match and take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. However, Betway has placed its bet on Bangladesh at 6.00.
BAN vs IND – Fantasy Team Suggestions
Fantasy Team 1: Mushfiqur Rahim, Virat Kohli (c), KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Litton Das, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Mehidy Hasan (vc), Mohammed Siraj, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain
Fantasy Team 2: Rishabh Pant, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Mominul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan (vc), Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel (c), Mehidy Hasan, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Ebadot Hossain
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