Yash Dayal has been called up to the Indian Test squad for the first time, while Shreyas Iyer remains on the periphery as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveiled the squad for the upcoming Test against Bangladesh. This Test match is scheduled to commence on September 19 in Chennai.
Dayal, a left-arm pacer, has been selected for his consistent and impressive performances in domestic cricket. Over his career in first-class cricket, he has played 24 matches and taken 76 wickets at an average of 28.89. His recent performances in the Duleep Trophy, where he secured 4 wickets across two innings while playing for India B against India A, showcased his readiness for higher-level cricket. Additionally, Dayal’s performance in the IPL 2024 season, where he claimed 15 wickets in 14 matches for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, further solidified his selection. He will be joining an Indian pace attack that will be led by Jasprit Bumrah and will also include Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep, who was notable for his 9-wicket haul in the first Duleep Trophy match.
Mohammed Shami, who is recovering from surgery, will be missing from this Test match. Shreyas Iyer, who last featured in a Test match in February 2024, was notably excluded from the squad. Iyer’s omission follows his absence from the Test squad since the Vizag Test against England and the subsequent loss of his BCCI central contract. Despite leading the Kolkata Knight Riders to an IPL title and making a return to the ODI team for the Sri Lanka tour, Iyer's inclusion in the Test squad remains uncertain. This exclusion comes even after Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar had previously admitted that Iyer's omission from the central contract list was a misunderstanding, affirming that he would be considered for all formats of the game.
Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel, who had standout performances during the series against England earlier this year, have retained their places in the squad. Sarfaraz's impressive domestic form and Jurel's contributions have earned them continued selection for the national team.
The Indian squad for the first Test against Bangladesh, therefore, features a mix of seasoned players and emerging talents, aiming to put forth a strong performance in what promises to be a significant match for the team.
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