Former Australia spinner Brad Hogg revealed his first-choice Indian playing XI for the first Test match against Bangladesh, due to be held in Chennai from September 19.
Hogg snubbed KL Rahul from India's playing XI while picking Ravindra Jadeja for the No.5. slot. Jadeja has been out of action ever since the T20 World Cup 2024 final on June 29. The all-rounder didn't participate in the first round of Duleep Trophy match as well.
On the other hand, Rahul featured in the domestic red-ball tournament and returned with scores of 37 and 57 while representing India A.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Hogg selected Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli as his top 4.
When it came to the No.5 position, Hogg went with Jadeja as he wanted to keep the left-right combination going. He also picked Sarfaraz Khan in the batting line-up while Rishabh Pant was the designated wicketkeeper-batter in his side.
In the bowling department, Hogg went with R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah.
“The XI that I am going or the first Test match against Bangladesh for India – Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma open the batting. Gill at three, Kohli at 4, and Jadeja coming at five just to keep that left-handed right-hand combination going. Sarfaraz Khan, Pant and then you’re into the bowlers, where you’ve got Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj, and Bumrah,” Hogg said.
According to Brad Hogg, this team would do well on the upcoming tour of Australia as well. India are slated to tour Australia for five Test matches later this year.
“That team will go pretty well down in Australia as well. So, they’ve got to start warming up for the Australian summer. India, so this will be a good start for them. No KL Rahul or Axar Patel in my playing XI,” he added.
According to reports, KL Rahul is likely to feature in India’s playing XI for the first Test against Bangladesh as Sarfaraz Khan has been asked to play the second round of Duleep Trophy despite being picked in the Test squad.
India squad for first Test against Bangladesh
Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Yash Dayal.
