India vs Bangladesh 2019: First Test Stats Preview

India vs Bangladesh: Virat Kohli returns to lead the Test side as we look at the expected playing 11 for the first Test match. 

MATCH DETAILS: 

Occasion	First Test, India vs Bangladesh
Location	Holkar  Cricket Stadium, Indore
Date & Time	Thursday, November 14, 9:30 am

MATCH PREVIEW:

Two series and two white-washes is how India have performed in the World Test Championship to date. They first defeated West Indies 2-0, and then mercilessly mocked South Africa 3-0 to record their worst series defeat in India.

With 240 points already under the belt, India would be eyeing 360 points as they face an underwhelming Shakib less Bangladesh Team for a 2-match Test series starting Thursday, 14 November. 

Historically, Bangladesh have never beaten India in a Test match. While they have drawn 2 Test matches, they have lost 7 in the process. A series victory looks prominent, but it would be interesting to see how this young and promising Bangladesh side take on the World’s number 1 Test team. 

Meanwhile, India have retained their squad that played against South Africa. That means, Jasprit Bumrah is still recovering, and would once again miss his first Home series. 

Bangladesh, on the other hand, would be without Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal. This is a huge blow to the side considering the experience Shakib and Tamim bring to the table.

EXPECTED PLAYING 11 FOR INDIA: 

Openers: Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal

India would retain their most successful pair in Tests this year in the form of Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal. Both were in red hot form against South Africa, and would want to continue the same performance against Bangladesh too.

Rohit Sharma, who played his first series as an opener in Tests did outstandingly well against South Africa having being named the player of the series. He would definitely want to continue the momentum against Bangladesh to finish 2019 on a high note.

Middle-Order: Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, and Ajinkya Rahane

The experienced trip of Chetwshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, and Ajinkya Rahane would be expected to play at numbers 3, 4, and 5 respectively. While Rahane had a superb series, Kohli and Pujara had a decent series against South Africa. Both Pujara and Kohli would want to emulate their old form against Bangladesh. 

Wicket-keeper: Wriddhiman Saha

We all know that Rishabh Pant is definitely the future wicket-keeper for India, but Wriddhiman Saha in all likelihood should retain his place in the 11 owing to extraordinary Wicket-keeping skills. While his keeping is excellent, India would be hoping that Saha contributes with the bat too.

All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin

The only question India would be asking before selecting the all-rounders is whether to go ahead with 5 bowlers or 4 bowlers and a part-timer in the form of Hanuman Vihari.

Considering the pitch and conditions, India are most likely to play 5 bowlers including two all-rounders in the form of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin.

Bowlers: Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, and Mohammed Shami

Virat Kohli is expecting the pitch to favor the Pace bowling more. That means India are most likely to play 3 fast bowlers. Of the three, Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami are the lead pacers, and Ishant Sharma would get a game owing to pitch being more pace bowler-friendly. 

So, that’s the expected playing 11 for the first Test match between India and Bangladesh.

India vs Bangladesh first Test expected Playing 11:

India: Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(C), Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, Wriddhiman Saha(Wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami. 

Bangladesh: Shadman Islam, Imrul Kayes, Mominul Haque (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Mohammad Mithun, Liton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan, Taijul Islam, Abu Jayed, and Ebadat Hossain

STATS PREVIEW | INDIA VS BANGLADESH TESTS:

Overall Matches Played: 9

India Won 7, while Bangladesh won 0

BATTING: 

820: Most Runs by Sachin Tendulkar (IND)

136.7: Best Batting Average (Min 3 inns) by Sachin Tendulkar (IND) 

5: Most Hundreds by Sachin Tendulkar (IND) 

248*: Highest Score by Sachin Tendulkar (IND)

BOWLING: 

31: Most Wickets by Zaheer Khan (IND)

11.9: Best Bowling Average (Min 3 inns) by Irfan Pathan (IND) 

3: Most 5-wicket hauls by Irfan Pathan (IND) 

7/87: Best Bowling figures by Zaheer Khan (IND)

Thanks for reading!

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