India will host Bangladesh for a two-match Test series starting from September 19. Here are the latest updates about the squad selection for the home Tests.
Report: Bumrah likely to be rested; Khaleel, Arshdeep might get a look in
India’s pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, could be rested for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh in September.
According to a PTI report, Bumrah could miss the upcoming home Tests to manage his workload. He could return for the New Zealand Tests at home before flying out to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in November.
"In case of Bumrah, he knows his body the best and it will be up to him if he wants to play in the Tests against Bangladesh. The team management and selectors are very clear that India needs a 120 per cent fit Jasprit Bumrah for all five Tests against Australia Down Under. Before that, there is New Zealand in India, where he will probably play and get ready for the sterner tests," a BCCI source told PTI.
Bumrah has not played any competitive cricket since India became the T20 World Champions in June.
The report also claimed India are looking to add some variation to their pace-attack by bringing in a left-arm pace bowler. Arshdeep Singh and Khaleel Ahmed are the frontrunners to make it to the side.
India hopeful of Shami’s return from prolonged injury hiatus – reports
Mohammed Shami has been out of action ever since his dream run in the 2023 ODI World Cup due to an ankle injury. He underwent surgery and is in the last phase of his rehab. The ace pacer could make his comeback in the Bangladesh Tests, according to an ESPNcricinfo report. Another report from the ANI claimed the same, saying the updates on his recovery have been shared with the BCCI selectors.
Chief selector Agarkar confirmed that he has started bowling and the first test against Bangladesh on September 19 in Chennai would be the target for his return.
Four Indians have been playing in the 2024 One-Day Cup in England.
— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) August 15, 2024
Here's how they have fared so far➡️https://t.co/NfuHiBoCFJ pic.twitter.com/HVmiHZY2X6
Rishabh Pant to make his Test comeback?
Rishabh Pant has been included in one of the 2024 Duleep Trophy squads. That marks his return to red-ball cricket for the first time since a near-fatal car accident in 2022. Pant will play for India B, indicating the tournament could be an audition for the wicketkeeper-batter to prove his fitness for the Bangladesh Tests. He was part of India’s victorious T20 World Cup campaign and did reasonably well with the bat and gloves.
Other wicketkeeping options that India could name are Dhruv Jurel and KL Rahul.
Rohit, Kohli and Ashwin given rest from Duleep Trophy
There were reports that several India seniors, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and R Ashwin, could be picked for the Duleep Trophy, as per BCCI secretary Jay Shah’s directive of ensuring the participation of centrally-contracted players in domestic tournaments. However, the trio was rested for India’s 2024-25 domestic season opener.
Shah explained their exclusion, saying, “We should not insist on players like Rohit and Virat to play in the Duleep Trophy. They will risk injury. If you have noticed, in Australia and England, no international player plays domestic cricket. We have to treat the players with respect.”
Having missed the England Test series at home for the birth of his second child, Kohli is set to return to India’s Test team for the Bangladesh series.
Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.
