The 2nd match of the India-Bangladesh Test series starts on Thursday.
Having won the first Test, India are on course to clinch the series by winning this last match as well. A win in this game is essential for India not only for the series but also to qualify for the final of the World Test Championship.
South Africa have slipped to 3rd place (54.55 pct) in the World Test Championship after suffering a heavy Test defeat against Australia. Currently India is at 2nd position (55.77 pct).
So, if India slips in this game against Bangladesh, they will lose that 2nd spot. It is to be noted that the top two teams in the table will face each other in the final.
As captain Rohit Sharma has not fully recovered from his injury, KL Rahul is acting as the captain for the Indian team in this match as well. Shubman Gill and Kuldeep Yadav took advantage of the golden opportunity they got in the first Test.
Due to Rohit Sharma’s lack of fitness, there was no need to think about dropping Shubman Gill, who scored his maiden Test century in the last match and was in good form. On the other hand, captain Rahul, who missed the chance in the first Test, will try to score runs in this game.
Like the Chattogram pitch, this Mirpur pitch is also favorable for batting, so we can expect Rahul to show his strength in this match. Because he must recover before the Australian series.
Cheteshwar Pujara has confirmed his 3rd position in this match as well after performing well in the first match. Virat Kohli can be expected to support him and score runs.
As far as bowling is concerned, Kuldeep Yadav showed a bit of weakness in the 2nd innings in the last game, but the wickets fell and paved the way for the team’s victory. Ashwin and Axar Patel are strong as usual. Shadul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj and others are coming to destroy the opposition due to fast bowling.
Although the Bangladesh team lost in the last Test, they are coming into this match with the hope of showing a good batting performance on the last day. It is expected that Nasum Ahmed will make his international Test debut in the team through this match. Duskin Ahmed replaces the injured Ebadat Hussain. It seems that Shakib Al Hasan will also bowl.
Team Profile:
India: KL Rahul (captain), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyy, Rishabh Pant, K.S. Bharat, R. Ashwin, Aks Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Shadul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sourav Kumar, Jayadev Unathkat.
Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Mahmud Hasan Joy, Najmul Hussain Shanto, Mominul Haq, Yasir Ali, Mushfiq Rahim, Liton Das, Nurul Hasan, Mehdi Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Khalid Ahmed, Zakir Hasan, Rezar Rahman. Raja, Nasum Ahmed.
9 am
Mirpur
Sony Sports
Rahul is also injured
Captain Rahul injured his hand while the Indian team was practicing nets on Wednesday. Rahul, who was in batting practice, was injured by the ball thrown by coach Vikram Rathore on his hand. It has been reported that the doctors have examined Rahul’s injury and his injury is not serious. If Rahul is unable to play in this Test, vice-captain Cheteshwar Pujara will take over as captain. Rahul’s replacement, Abhimanyu Easwaran, will be given the batting responsibility to open the Indian innings.