The much-awaited trophy for India versus Bangladesh, two-match Test series was unveiled on December 12 (Monday) in the presence of Indian skipper KL Rahul and Bangladesh skipper Shakib-Al-Hasan, at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, in Chattogram.

Both the skippers posed with the glittering trophy before the duo shook hands and were clicked. As regular-Indian skipper Rohit Sharma suffered a thumb injury during 2nd one-day international against Bangladesh, earlier this week, KL Rahul has been handed over the captaincy cap for the 1st Test match. Notably, India has never lost a Test match against Bangladesh in the nine Test they have played.

Meanwhile, Team India has to win each and every Test match to qualify for the World Test Championship final, and even a draw in any of the Test would fade away their chances. Apart from Rohit Sharma, the Indian team will also miss the services of Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Md. Shami and a few others. Meanwhile, Abhimanyu Easwaran has been added to the squad as a possible replacement for Rohit Sharma. 

The final call on Rohit’s availability for the second Test will be taken following the report from BCCI’s medical team which is monitoring the prolific top-order batter in Mumbai.  Saurabh Kumar, Navdeep Saini and Jayadev Unadkat have also been added to the squad. However, the appointment of Cheteshwar Pujara as a vice-captain didn’t go down well with the Indian cricket fans to which KL Rahul responded while addressing the media ahead of the series opener.

“I at least don’t know what the criteria is, whoever is picked you give yourself a pat on your back. Even for me, when I was named the vice-captain, you get happy, you have the responsibility of the team. It really does not change much; everybody knows their role and responsibility and how much the team appreciates their contribution,” Rahul said. The 30-year-old further claimed that Rishabh Pant and Pujara as a ‘brilliant’ teammate and both know very well what is required as a group.

“Both have been brilliant team players. We don’t think that much. We carry on as a team,” added Rahul. The Test series will begin from December 14 onwards while the second Test will be played on December 22 in Mirpur.