Selectors in dilemma ahead of India team selection for Bangladesh Test

Wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha injured himself during the second India v England Test as he hurt one of his tendons. However, he is expected to return to the team against Bangladesh as BCCI is poised to announce a 15-man squad for the match to be played in Hyderabad from February 9. Saha looks in fine nick after scoring an unbeaten double century for the Rest of India against Gujarat in the Irani Cup.

The selection committee headed by MSK Prasad will have a choice to make as Saha scored heavily in the recent Irani Cup while Parthiv Patel has also performed well in the chances he got with the Indian team and while leading Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy final against Mumbai.

Though the selection committee has declared that Wriddhiman will still be the first choice keeper, Parthiv’s 90 and 143 against Mumbai in the Ranji trophy final may cause differences in opinion. Talking about rest of the squad, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Karun Nair will be included as main batsmen.

With Rahane back from his fractured thumb and Karun in exquisite form, it will be a formidable middle order. Hardik Pandya might make it to the squad as India will look to bolster their lower order batting and the seam bowling allrounder gives them an option to play an additional spinner.

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Murali Vijay has also recovered from his injury as he has made himself available for the Test against the Bangladeshis. While Vijay will add to the batting side, Jayant Yadav, who was injured in the last Test against England is fit as well. He has also featured for his domestic side in the Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy in two T20 games.

The fight for the 15th place may be between the leggie Amit Mishra and the paceman Ishant Sharma. While the bowling attack for the game will most likely comprise of pacers Umesh Yadav and Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and the spin twin Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Jayant and Hardik may take the places of two all-rounders.

Likely Indian squad for Bangladesh Test:

Virat Kohli (C), KL Rahul, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Karun Nair, Wriddhiman Saha, Parthiv Patel, Hardik Pandya, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Jayant Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma