India and Bangladesh will play two Tests and three T20Is starting September 19.
Bangladesh will visit for a series of two Tests and three T20Is in September. All eyes will be on the bowling attack that the Indian team will field against Bangladesh, as both Tests are important for the Rohit Sharma-led side in the World Test Championship (WTC 2025) context.
It has been reported that Jasprit Bumrah will continue his well-deserved break from cricket since the T20 World Cup win and is likely to miss the Bangladesh Test series. His comeback is expected to happen in the three-match Test series against New Zealand.
Therefore, it has been reported that the Indian team management and selectors are aiming to introduce more variety into the pace attack, therefore a left-arm seam and swing bowler could be added to the list of pacers competing for a Test cap.
In terms of exposure and experience, the selectors have two options: Arshdeep Singh, a regular in the T20 format, and the injury-prone and slightly erratic Khaleel Ahmed, who is highly regarded in some circles.
"In case of Bumrah, he knows his body the best and it will be up to him if he wants to play in the Tests against Bangladesh. The team management and selectors are very clear that India needs a 120 percent fit Jasprit Bumrah for all five Tests against Australia Down Under. Before that, there is New Zealand in India, where he will probably play and get ready for the sterner tests," a BCCI source told PTI.
In the instance of Arshdeep, his introduction to red-ball cricket was part of Rahul Dravid's plans, and he was sent to Kent last year to play some County games.
Khaleel has made significant progress as a bowler, although he can be inconsistent. The second option for a left-arm seamer is Yash Dayal, but he trails Khaleel and Arshdeep in this race.
(PTI inputs)