IND vs BAN: KL Rahul, Axar Patel snubbed as Brad Hogg picks India XI for 1st Test

Former Australia National Cricket Team spinner Brad Hogg has revealed his India playing XI for the first Test against Bangladesh, and he has surprisingly ignored KL Rahul.

India National Cricket Team are set to lock horns with the Bangladesh National Cricket Team in the two-match Test series at home. The first Test will be played from September 19 in Chennai, and the second Test will be played from September 27 in Kanpur.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already announced the squad for the first match, and Yash Dayal's maiden Test call-up, along with Shreyas Iyer's snub, emerged as the two biggest talking points. Meanwhile, Brad Hogg picked his India playing XI in a video shared on his official X handle.

Speaking in the video, Brad Hogg stated that Rishabh Pant's return to Test cricket is a huge boost for India, but at the same time, it is a blow for Dhruv Jurel, who will have to be benched. He elaborated:

"Pant back in the fray for Test cricket. That is a good selection, he's ready to go. And it's bad news for Jurel who will not be taking part in this first Test match against Bangladesh.

"Pant will be coming in at number 7. You need that explosiveness, that match-winning power. He's got a strike rate of 70 with an average in the mid-40s. That is top-notch cricket.

"The only player that's got a strike rate like him and a good average is Harry Brook from England. But it's good to see Pant back."

The other player that I want to fit in here is Safaraz Khan - Brad Hogg ignores KL Rahul

KL Rahul has been one of the consistent performers for the India National Cricket Team in Test cricket over the last few years, but Brad Hogg didn't include him in his team. Instead, the former Australia star went with Sarfaraz Khan in his line-up because of his aggressive game. Brad Hogg stated:

"The other player that I want to fit in here is Safaraz Khan. He's had a good start against England. You've got to keep that momentum going, and he's a little unorthodox like Pant, and he likes to play that aggressive game. Get him in there because you need quick runs to win games, set it up for your bowlers."

Meanwhile, Brad Hogg then picked his India XI with Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shubman Gill in the top three, followed by Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh at No.4, 5, 6 and 7. The remaining players in his team were Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, and Jasprit Bumrah. Brad Hogg said:

"That team will go pretty well down in Australia as well. So they've got to start warming up for the Australian summer. So this will be a good start for them. No Rahul or Axad Patel in my starting 11."

Brad Hogg's India XI for 1st Test vs Bangladesh: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah

Pant's Comeback or Risky Move? No KL Rahul And Dhruv Jurel In My playing 11.
What's your playing 11?#Cricket #INDvBAN #Test pic.twitter.com/9WqjkCAakW

— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) September 10, 2024