New Delhi: The speculations regarding resting star pacer Jasprit Bumrah for a 2-match Test series against Bangladesh appeared to come true, but Bumrah’s shocking inclusion in the squad for the first Test proved otherwise. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, too, found his way back into the Test fold after almost 20 months as India declared their 16-man squad for the series opener on Sunday. While the comebacks were the big positives, omissions of noted names and no named vice-captain by the BCCI selection committee led to enough discussion.
During the last series of Test matches between India and England, Jasprit Bumrah was given the role of vice-captain, but this time the selection committee didn’t assign the role for which the fans must know what happened.
Bumrah is considered as one of the leaders in the Indian Team, along with the likes of KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant. While Virat Kohli has expressed reluctance to take on an official leadership role, both KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant are seen as contenders for India’s long-term Test captaincy. However, neither has been named as the designated vice-captain for the upcoming Bangladesh Tests, adding to the intrigue surrounding the team’s leadership choices.
Curiously, no reason was advanced for not having a vice-captain. As it is, these omissions are likely to be questioned with Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir ahead of the Bangladesh Test series.
Virat Kohli, who opted out of the five-Test series at home against England earlier this year due to a break on account of his second child birth, also managed to find his way back into the squad. However, in-form fast bowler Mohammed Shami, who is still recovering from injury, wasn’t selected into the squad. In another development, uncapped left-arm fast bowler from Uttar Pradesh Yash Dayal received his maiden Test call-up.
Rishabh Pant last played in the second and final Test against Bangladesh at Mirpur from December 22-25, 2022. Just a few days later, he was involved in a serious road accident on December 30. He finally returned to top-level cricket this year during the IPL – his comeback after a long recovery.
Though there were hints from chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, the right-arm seamer Mohammed Shami, who had been targeting his return for the first Test against Bangladesh, didn’t make it. On the other hand, Yash Dayal, who once had that forgettable IPL moment when Rinku Singh whacked him for five back-to-back sixes, found remarkable redemption with his maiden Test call-up.
The selectors also included KL Rahul, who suffered a right quadriceps injury during the first Test against England in Hyderabad, in the Test squad. He showed his availability with scores of 37 and a fighting 57 for India A in the Duleep Trophy game that ended on Sunday in Bengaluru.
Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel, who delivered standout performances against England with match-winning knocks of 90 and an unbeaten 39 in the Ranchi Test, retained his place in the squad.
Meanwhile, Bengal pacer Akash Deep, who made an impressive Test debut against England in Ranchi with a three-wicket burst, solidified his position with a remarkable nine-wicket haul in the Duleep Trophy match for India A against India B in Bengaluru.
India squad for 1st Test vs Bangladesh: Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Yash Dayal.
