Rishabh Pant last played a Test in December 2022, against Bangladesh.
India is slated to play the first Test against Bangladesh from September 19 in Chennai and the second Test between the two sides is set to be played in Kanpur from September 27 onwards.
Bangladesh will also play 3 T20Is on the tour, that will be played on October 6, 9, and 12 in Gwalior, Delhi, and Hyderabad respectively.
The BCCI announced Team India squad sees Rohit Sharma captaining the side. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and Sarfaraz Khan retain their spots in the batting order from England Tests. KL Rahul has been included to bolster the middle order.
The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee has named two wicketkeepers in Rishabh Pant, while Dhruv Jurel also retained his spot from the England series. This Test series will mark Rishabh Pant’s return to Test cricket after December 2022.
The selectors have opted for four spinners in the Indian squad to face Bangladesh in Chennai. R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Akshar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav have all been named considering the MA Chidambaram stadium which is spin friendly surface.
The spinners will be supported by four fast bowlers with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj leading the attack. Akash Deep’s impressive outing in the recent Duleep Trophy match in which he scalped 9 wickets earned him a spot as well. Left-arm pacer Yash Dayal received his maiden Test call-up as well.
India squad for first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai:
Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Akshar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Yash Dayal.