English
India take on Bangladesh in a historic one-off Test match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad which is scheduled to begin from Thursday. After a brilliant 2016 in the longer format of the game, where Virat Kohli’s team remained unbeaten winning 9 of their 12 matches, hosts will now be hoping to carry the same form into 2017.
Meanwhile, the Tigers, who will be playing their first ever Test in India will be hoping for a decent performance. Historically Bangladesh have struggled in the longer format of the game. But the Mushfiqur Rahim-led side have shown improvement in recent times. However, Bangladesh have struggled in the longer format of the game and have won just 8 of their 97 Tests.
The good news for Virat Kohli and Indian team management is that everybody is fit again so India can field their best side. There are have been questions on whether Ajinkya Rahane or Karu Nair will make it to the playing XI but Anil Kumble while talking to the reporters on Thursday gave us a hint that Rahane might be selected ahead of Nair. (Also read: India vs Bangladesh Test – Spinners to decide the fate of this match)
India will be high on confidence as they defeated England 4-0 in the five-match test series. It was a convincing performance by team India and they were the dominating side throughout the tournament. Kohli`s men now will be looking to set a new milestone after equalling India`s record of five consecutive Test series triumphs against England, New Zealand, West Indies, South Africa and Sri Lanka in the past 18 months.
India are expected to make another change from the side that won the final Test against England in December as fit-again Wriddhiman Saha returns from injury and will replace Parthiv Patel in playing XI.
Wriddhiman Saha has already warned his team members that it was vital not to be distracted by the prospect of a looming high-profile series against Australia later this month and should not be complacemt against the minnows. At the same time India will be looking to extend their record-breaking unbeaten run to 19 matches.
Bangladesh’s chances depend heavily upon their star all-rounder Shakib al Hassan who would expect more support from his teammates: Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim. Bangladesh would miss their fast bowling sensation Mustafizur Rahman who is still recovering from an injury. The 19-year-old off-spinner, Mehedi Hasan who had an incredible start to his Test career last year picking up 7 wickets against England in the first innings itself can be a threat for the Indian batting.
India squad for one-off Test against Bangladesh: Virat Kohli (c), Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Karun Nair, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Jayant Yadav, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Abhinav Mukund, Hardik Pandya.
Bangladesh squad for one-off Test vs India: Mushfiqur Rahim (c & wk), Tamim Iqbal, Sabbir Rahman, Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, Mehedi Hasan, Taijul Islam, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, Soumya Sarkar, Taskin Ahmed, Subashis Roy, Mosaddek Hossain, Liton Das, Mominul Haque, Shafiul Islam.
For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest Cricket News on India.com.
