Kuldeep Yadav returns, Mohammed Siraj rested: India’s likely XI for second Test against Bangladesh

India will look to complete a series whitewash against Bangladesh when the two sides meet in Kanpur for the second Test. The pitch at the Green Field Stadium is expected to be based on what the Indian team wants, with reports suggesting that the curators have created two types of courts for the match. While one is the black ground typical of Kanpur that will provide assistance to spinners, the other is apparently similar to the pace-friendly track rolled out in Chennai for the first Test.

To state the obvious, the type of pitch chosen for the match will go a long way in determining the Indian squad for the match. While they are unlikely to make too many changes, India could retain or drop the third fast bowler depending on the circumstances. The first Test was rare as both sides picked three fast bowlers despite the match being played in India.

If India were to do the same thing they did during the Bangladesh tour, they could opt for the pace-friendly pitch in Kanpur. But with a big five-Test series coming up in Australia later this year and a Champions Trophy shortly after next year, they may also be aware of the need to give their pacers as much rest as possible. They would also rely on their world-class spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja to outperform Bangladesh’s own formidable set of spinners. They could also deploy Kuldeep Yadav as the extra wicket-taking spin option.

India continues with Bumrah

However, it is likely that the pacer who will have to take a rest will not be Jasprit Bumrah. Instead, it could be Mohammed Siraj, who had a very brief injury scare during the first Test. Although it was nothing serious, India would be tempted to err on the side of caution. Akash Deep seems to be one of the leading candidates to become India’s third pacer in Australia if Mohammed Shami does not return, so he will definitely get another game.

India likely XI for 2nd Test against Bangladesh

Batters – Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul

All-rounders – Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin

Wicketkeeper – Rishabh Pant

Bowlers – Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, Kuldeep Yadav