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On Monday, September 9, BCCI announced India’s squad for the first Test against Bangladesh, which is set to begin on September 19. The squad saw several big names making their comeback in India’s whites. Modern-day batting icon Virat Kohli also marked his comeback, after having missed the five-match Test series against England earlier this year. Apart from him KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant also returned to the squad.
Not only this, but Yash Dayal also received his maiden call up to India’s Test team. However, contrary to everyone’s expectations, there was no return for star pacer Mohammed Shami and middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer. While Shami has been away from action due to his injury and surgery, Iyer’s case seems to be more complicated. While the batter was snubbed from BCCI’s annual contract, he recently returned to India’s ODI squad and delivered a strong half-century knock for his side in Duleep Trophy.
Why were Shreyas Iyer and Mohammed Shami not picked in India’s Test squad against Bangladesh?
According to a report by Times of India, the main reason behind Shreyas Iyer’s snub was his inconsistent performances in red-ball cricket as well as a poor 2024 season. The report stated that the selectors were unhappy with his recent fitness concerns as well as his removal from BCCI contact after his unavailability in the Ranji Trophy season. It seems that Iyer is expected to do more in terms of making the selectors happy for his Test team selection.
On the other hand, Mohammed Shami doesn’t seem to have checked all the boxes for his selection in India’s squad. Not only this, but the report also states that he is unlikely to be picked for the second Test against Bangladesh too. Shami is likely to be picked in the Bengal team for Ranji Trophy campaign which is starting on October 11. If he manages to prove his fitness, then Shami might get a call to India squad.
India’s 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, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Yash Dayal.
