Bangladesh tour India for a one off Test against India starting on the 9th of February at Hyderabad. The Indian selectors chose a 16 man squad for the series which includes 4 spinners and 3 pace bowlers. Here is the complete squad:

Virat Kohli (Captain), Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Abhinav Mukund, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Karun Nair, Wriddhiman Saha, Hardik Pandya, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Amit Mishra, Jayant Yadav, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

The Indian Test squad has a very settled look to it and put up a commanding performance in the Test series against England when they triumphed 4-0. Abhinav Mukund has earned a recall to the Test side after nearly 6 years. This shows that the selectors are giving importance to performances in the Ranji Trophy. However, Vijay and Rahul are certain to be the first choice openers and Mukund is likely to make the playing XI only in case of injuries. Pujara and Kohli will bat at the number 3 and the number 4 positions.

Ajinkya Rahane had a poor series against England and missed the last 2 Tests due to injury. Karun Nair scored triple century to give the selectors a welcome headache. It would be unfair to drop Rahane as he has been India’s most consistent batsman in Tests over the last 2 years. Ever since Kohli took over as India’s captain he has followed a ‘Horses for courses’ policy and played 5 bowlers wherever necessary. However, it will be extremely harsh to drop a triple centurion so the Indian think tank will probably compromise and play 6 batsmen. Otherwise, Nair could be the unlucky person to miss out.

Parthiv Patel was drafted into the Indian team for the last 3 Tests against England and he did a good job, both with the bat and with the gloves. However, the Chairman of selectors has said Saha remains the first choice keeper in Tests. Parthiv should consider himself unlucky but will remain in the scheme of things, particularly when India tour overseas and select a second wicket-keeper in the touring party. Hardik Pandya is yet to make his Test debut, but has established himself as the main seam bowling all-rounder.
The spin department is in good hands with Ashwin and Jadeja certain to make it to the playing XI, after being rested for the T20I series against England. Jayant Yadav has proved his fitness after injury and Mishra provides the leg-spinning option if needed.

Mohammed Shami is yet to recover from his injury and has not been selected in the squad which is a wise decision as it is important for him to be fit and raring to go against the Aussies. If India goes in with 2 pace bowlers, Ishant and Umesh will make the playing XI; unless the wicket is a rank turner and India play 3 spinners. Kohli has been known to turn to Bhuvneshwar if there is some swing on offer and he could replace one of the seamers in that eventuality.

The squad selected is a balanced one and should acquit themselves well provided they are not complacent, and play to their potential.