Bangladesh was outstanding against Pakistan but can they replicate the performance against India? That's a big question as India would be a far tougher opposition than Pakistan, but the Tigers would be optimistic about pulling off an upset. Bangladesh have a miserable record against India, having lost 11 out of the 13 Tests, with two games ending as draws so they do have a task on hand.
The series gets underway on September 19 in Chennai before the caravan moves to Kanpur for the second Test from September 27. Both Chennai and Kanpur are spin-friendly venues and Bangladesh have a plethora of good spinners who will test the India batters, who have often been found wanting against the spinners. The series thus should not be one-sided as it looks on paper.
The Bangladesh squad for the Test series is not yet announced, however, it is unlikely there will be many changes from the squad that thrashed Pakistan. Bangladesh pacers did well in Pakistan, however, they might change their strategy against India and go in with three spinners at least in the playing XI. Shakib Al Hasan and Mahedy Hasan are certain to feature while Taijul Islam should also find a place. Shoriful Islam missed the second Test against Pakistan due to an injury and he should return to the XI to partner Taskin Ahmed.
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The batting should stay the same that played against Pakistan, with Shadman Islam and Zakir Hasan as openers. Najmul Hossain Shanto will bat at three while Mominul Haque will play at four. Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Shakib Al Hasan and Mahedy Hasan should comprise a strong middle order.
Bangladesh Likely XI For 1st Test: Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Taijul Islam
Bangladesh Likely Squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Kumer Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Syed Khaled Ahmed.
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Meanwhile, India have named a strong squad for the Test series against Bangladesh. Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant made a comeback while big guns like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, Ashwin and R Jadeja also found a place. With WTC points at stake, India are not taking Bangladesh lightly.
India’s 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), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Yash Dayal.