The Indian selectors have announced strong squads for Test and One-Day Internationals (ODIs) series in the upcoming tour of Bangladesh. The big guns like Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni will be leading the Test and ODI teams respectively. Sandipan Banerjee analyses both squads that Sandeep Patil and co. picked.
Things seem different this time. To the surprise of everyone, the Sandeep Patil-led Indian selection committee named full-strength Test and ODI squads for the short tour despite media speculation that senior players may be rested after being on the road since October. Big guns like Dhoni and Kohli will be touring and leading the Test and ODI teams respectively.For Indian cricket, a tour of Bangladesh has typically meant a window of opportunities for the young and upcoming talents. Young players knocking the doors of Indian cricket have generally been given the opportunities in the den of ‘Bangla-tigers’. The likes of Dhoni, Gautam Gambhir, Amit Mishra, and Ishant Sharma have started their international careers in the “land of debutants”.
What prompted the Indian selectors to change the trend? Probably Bangladesh’s growing stature in international cricket.
Shakib Al Hasan and co. have had an excellent six months in international cricket. Across formats they have a winning rate of more than 80 per cent. They “Bangla-washed” Pakistan in three ODIs and in a T20I in the last series.
Following that, Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes punished the Pakistan bowlers in the first Test. Despite the defeat in the second Tests, they are eagerly waiting for the India to take the revenge of their much talked-about World Cup exit. This is probably the main reason why India, who were languishing at No. 7 in the ICC Test rankings till few days back, did not take a chance and convinced all the seniors to tour Bangladesh.
The inclusion of Harbhajan Singh in the Indian Test team is a big gamble. He last played Test cricket against Australia in 2013. This is probably the last opportunity he will have to bring his international career back on track. This will be an important tour for Wriddhiman Saha, who will be India’s first-choice wicketkeeper for the first time. Mohammed Shami missed out because of an injury.
Keeping the number of left-handers in Bangladesh batting line up in mind, India have picked two off-spinners in Ravichandran Ashwin and Harbhajan. Both are likely to make it to the playing eleven. KL Rahul seems to be an exciting prospect at the top of the order. He had scored a hundred in his last Test (as Sydney) and will be looking to make mark in Bangladesh as well.
There is, however, no surprise selection in the ODI side. India have retained their World Cup squad, the only change being Dhawal Kulkarni for the injured Shami.
It will be a good test for the rejuvenated and in-form Bangladesh side, looking to improve their ODI rankings and keep their hopes alive for a spot in ICC Champions trophy 2017.
Test Squad:
Virat Kohli (C), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, Harbhajan Singh, Karn Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Varun Aaron, Ishant Sharma.
ODI Squad:
MS Dhoni (c & wk), Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Akshar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Mohit Sharma, Stuart Binny, Dhawal Kulkarni