With a World Test Championship final spot in mind, Team India will look to make a strong start against Bangladesh in the first Test of the two-match series at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Wednesday.
In the absence of captain Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul will lead India while veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara has been named his deputy.
Speaking to the media ahead of the first Test, stand-in captain Rahul said that the team have to play aggressive cricket in order to make it to the final of the World Test championship.
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Last edition finalists India are currently in the fourth spot in the WTC points table and to make it to yet another final, they have to win 5 of the remaining 6 Test matches before the 2022-23 cycle of Test championship ends.
India vs Bangladesh 1st Test Playing XI prediction
Coming to the team dynamics, youngster Shubman Gill is expected to open the batting along with Rahul in the absence of Rohit. While the middle order will comprise of Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant.
With the Chattogram wicket expected to assist spinners, the team management might feel tempted to field three spinners, Axar Patel, R Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav. Axar and Ashwin are certain starters due to their batting prowess lower down the order.
In the fast-bowling front, veteran pacer Umesh Yadav is expected to get a game along with Mohd Siraj. Meanwhile, Vijay Hazare Trophy's top wicket-taker Jaydev Unadkat will link-up with the Indian side on the eve of the match. Thus his chances to make it to the playing XI are highly improbable.
India Playing XI (probable): Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Axar patel, R Ashwin, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav/Navdeep Saini/Jaydev Unadkat.
Bangladesh Playing XI (probable): Shanto, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Taijul Islam.
Bangladesh vs India 1st Test live telecast, match timings and streaming details
IND vs BAN 1st Test date & day: December 14, Wednesday
Match timing: 9 AM IST
IND vs BAN live toss time: 8:30 AM IST
Live telecast: Sony Sports Network