Team India entered into the two-Test series against Bangladesh on the back of an ODI series defeat at the hands of the same opponent last week.

Moreover, India are missing the services of three key players – Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja and Rohit Sharma – due to injuries.

Bumrah and Jadeja had sustained injuries way before the Bangladesh tour whereas regular skipper Rohit picked up a thumb injury in the third ODI at Chattogram on December 10.

To get his thumb injury assessed by a specialist, Rohit flew back to Mumbai soon after the ODI series got over. In his absence, KL Rahul took over the captaincy duties for the opening Test against Bangladesh.

While initial reports suggested that Rishabh Pant would be appointed vice-captain, veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara was surprisingly picked as Rahul’s deputy.  

The decision of the selection committee came as a shock to many, including former India batter Mohammad Kaif.

"It's a bit shocking for me because the last time we played Rishabh Pant was the vice-captain," Kaif said in an interaction organised by Sony Sports Network ahead of the Test Match.

Kaif also mentioned that Pujara should have been handed the vice-captaincy for the one-off Test against England in July if he was in the plans to be the deputy of the Test side.

"Pujara was there in that team (in England) so either you have made a mistake here or back there in England. Someone has made a mistake. Why is there a rush? Why such a hurry to make Pant the captain? He's a newcomer finding his feet at the international level. He has won some fantastic matches I understand but he is still young. You don't make someone captain or vice-captain this early. Why this rush? I don't understand. Why can't someone just keep performing and keep winning matches? The priority should be to win matches for your team and not to be captain. We focus on players so much," he added.