Yash Dayal earns maiden call-up as India squad for 1st Test vs Bangladesh announced

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled the squad for the first Test against Bangladesh, which begins on September 19. Wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant is set to make his return to Test cricket after nearly 20 months. Pant marked his return to professional cricket through IPL 2024 following his recovery after sustaining critical injuries in a car accident. Rohit Sharma will lead the side, with both Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah also included. Akash Deep has been selected, and young pacer Yash Dayal receives his first call-up to the squad.

India squad for 1st Test vs Bangladesh announced; Yash Dayal earns maiden call-up, Rishabh Pant set to return

Rishabh Pant's last appearance in Test cricket was during the second and final Test against Bangladesh at Mirpur from December 22-25, 2022. The same year, Pant sustained severe injuries following an unfortunate car accident that transpired in the early hours of December 30. Following a swift recovery process, he made his return to competitive cricket earlier this year in the IPL 2024 for Delhi Capitals.

Following an impressive show in IPL 2024, the 26-year-old dynamic batter was part of India's title-winning team in the T20 World Cup earlier this year. Most recently, Pant tracked his way back into red-ball cricket through the Duleep Trophy. The wicket-keeper batter registered a half century in the second innings for India B as the team won the clash against India A on Saturday. Moreover, Rishabh Pant looked in fine form in his wicket-keeping duties, marking his jubilant presence on the field as he guided the bowlers with his vision from behind the stumps.

In another update, Jasprit Bumrah has been called up for the home series against Bangladesh as Shami continues to tend to his ankle injury. Despite earlier indications from chief selector Ajit Agarkar that right-arm seamer Mohammed Shami might return for the series, he has not been included in the squad.

Moreover, defying the anticipation, Arshdeep Singh missed out on a red-ball call up for India. With Shami’s absence almost confirmed, it was expected that the young pacer will join the Indian test squad following his blazing performance in the T20 World Cup earlier this year. However, the selectors have gone for Yash Dayal for the first Test against Bangladesh. Dayal scalped 4 wickets in the first match of Duleep Trophy, playing an instrumental role in the victory for India B earlier today.

The first Test will kick off India's extensive Test season in Chennai on September 19, followed by the second Test at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur from September 27 to October 1. In their previous 13 Test encounters, India has won 11 matches, with two ending in draws. Bangladesh enters this series with the confidence of a historic 2-0 series win over Pakistan, while this will be India's first Test series since their 4-1 victory over England at home earlier this year.

India squad for the 1st Test of the Bangladesh Test series

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.