In the first of two Test matches, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and decided to field against India on Thursday in cloudy Chennai.
Bangladesh recently completed an unprecedented 2-0 Test whitewash of Pakistan, but despite 13 efforts, they have never defeated India.
Three seamers, including the recent speed phenomenon Nahid Rana, who bowled at over 146 kph (90 mph) in Pakistan, are among the visitors.
At the toss, Najmul stated, “We would like to use the conditions as there is moisture on the wicket.”
“It looks hard and will be good for the seamers in the first session.”
As they kick off a new Test season consisting of ten matches, India, under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, want to maintain their lead at the top of the World Test Championship rankings.
For the first time since he almost lost his life in an automobile accident in 2022, wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant is back with the Test team.
Virat Kohli, who missed India’s 4-1 home series victory over England due to the birth of his second child, is also returning for his first Test since playing South Africa in Cape Town in January.
If he had won the toss, Rohit acknowledged that the “conditions will be challenging” and that he would have likewise chosen to field first.
India’s squad consists of two spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, and three fast bowlers.
Gautam Gambhir, the new coach of India, is in his debut Test match after replacing Rahul Dravid, who concluded his career by winning the T20 World Cup in June.
Squads
India’s squad includes: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, and KL Rahul.
The following players represent Bangladesh: Litton Das (wk), Hasan Mahmud, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Mominul Haque, Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
Richard Kettleborough (ENG) and Rod Tucker (AUS) are the umpires.
