India vs Bangladesh 2019: 1st Test - India's Predicted Playing XI

With the Twentuy20 International done and dusted, the focus will now shift to the two-match series between India and Bangladesh. Although the interest solely lies on the day-night Test at Eden Gardens, the first Test of the series will commence in Indore from November 14 (Thursday).

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The top-ranked Test side has excelled in all conditions and all departments in the last few years. India also occupy the top spot in the ICC World Test Championship and will hope to strengthen their lead at the top. The host, who is coming from a 3-0 series win against South Africa, will look to keep up their dominant run against Bangladesh.

The management is unlikely to make huge changes to the side. Ishant Sharma can slot in the playing XI after missing the final game of the last series due to an ankle injury. Hanuma Vihari can also reclaim his position if India want to have the cushion of an extra batsman against Bangladesh spinners.

We at Cricket Addictor will take a look at the predicted playing XI of Team India for the opening Test of the two-match series against Bangladesh in Indore:

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MAYANK AGARWAL

Ever since making his Test debut, Mayank Agarwal has been in spectacular form with the bat at the top-order. he made his maiden home series against South Africa more memorable with consistent runs with the bat. The Karnataka opener will hope to keep up the excellent form and help India take a crucial lead in Indore.

ROHIT SHARMA

Rohit Sharma had a fairytale emergence as a Test opener in the series against South Africa after coming to the side in place of out-of-form KL Rahul. He scored two centuries and a double hundred to return with the man of the series award. The Mumbai-born cricketer will hope to keep up his swashbuckling form and help India get good starts.

CHETESHWAR PUJARA

Cheteshwar Pujara is yet to find his true element and has been inconsistent with the bat. The Test stalwart will look to regain his prime touch back and provide solidity in India’s batting order as he has been doing in the last few years in red-ball cricket.

VIRAT KOHLI

Team India skipper Virat Kohli will be aiming to go past Steve Smith in the ICC Rankings for batsmen. He took a good break during the T20I series against Bangladesh and will return fresh. Kohli will hope to resume his regular duties and play big knocks for his side he has been doing in the last few years.

AJINKYA RAHANE

Ajinkya Rahane has started to find the middle of his bat and scored his first century at home in three years during the series against South Africa. He looked in midas touch shouldering responsibilities in the middle-order. The Team India vice-captain will hope to keep going strong in the upcoming series against Bangladesh.

HANUMA VIHARI

Hanuma Vihari had to sacrifice his place in the playing XI as India tried various combination in the last two Test matches against South Africa. But the Andhra cricketer has been rock solid in the middle-order since making his debut in England and will look to make it big against Bangladesh.

WRIDDHIMAN SAHA

Wriddhiman Saha has hogged most of the limelight during the South Africa series for his impeccable glovework. However, there have been talks with his batting and Saha will like to shut his critics with a big knock with the bat against Bangladesh beside keeping up his excellent work behind the stumps.

RAVINDRA JADEJA

Ravindra Jadeja has been India’s no 1 all-rounder for quite some time now. Meanwhile, his improvements with the bat have been heartening to see as India now have the luxury to field one extra bowler. Jadeja, who took a break during the T20I series will look to come all guns blazing against Bangladesh.

RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN

Ravichandran Ashwin made a spectacular comeback to the Indian team after almost nine months. He made an immediate impact proving why he is still one of the best spinners in the business. Meanwhile, the last week has been eventful for Ashwin as he shifted his base in the IPL. But once again the Tamil Nadu-born cricketer will look to shift his focus and lead India’s spin department.

MOHAMMED SHAMI

Mohammed Shami has gone on to be one of India’s finest fast bowlers. His ability to reverse the old makes him a rare commodity in red-ball cricket. He was at his best against South Africa and will hope to keep up the same form against Bangladesh which starts from November 14.

ISHANT SHARMA

Ishant Sharma has got better with each passing game and is one of India’s strike bowler. The tall and lanky pacer becomes detrimental in subcontinent wickets when they bend their backs. Ishant, who missed the last Test against South Africa due to a niggle will look to come back strongly and reclaim his spot.