Why are India playing with three pace bowlers against Bangladesh in Chennai Test?

India’s two-match Test series against Bangladesh has begun on Thursday. Bangladesh skipper Najmul Shanto won the toss and chose to bowl first. It wasn’t a surprising decision as it is the start of the season in India. The pitch report mentioned that pitch has some moisture on it. 

Team India went into the game with three pace bowlers and two spinners. Rohit Sharma at the toss mentioned that he would have also bowled first had he won the toss. The home team are going with Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep. R. Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are the two spinners in the side. 

One of the major reasons why India have go in with three pacers is because of the bounce and carry the surface can offer. Every morning there could be some moisture on the pitch. Chennai has been experiencing hot days as the pitch cracks open the spinners as well as the pacers can come into play. With all three Indian pacers known to bowl at the good length areas batting last on this wicket could hamper the visitors. 

Rohit Sharma’s Indian team get down to action

Speaking at the toss, Rohit Sharma said “ I would have bowled first as well. Little soft, the pitch. It's going to be challenging conditions. We have prepared well, so we should back our potential and play the way we know. Looking at the 10 Test matches, every match is important. But we want to focus on what lies in front of us. 

Bangladesh skipper said “The way we played that series against Pakistan, we are confident. This is a new series, we'll have to follow our processes. It's a good mixture of experience and youth. We go with three seamers and two spin allrounders.

Before the game began there were thoughts that India could go in with three spinners. Meanwhile, there is good news for the Indian fans as Rishabh Pant is back in the Test team as he was included in the playing XI. This is the first time since December 2022, that Pant is playing a Test match. 

India XI - Rohit Sharma(captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant(WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj.

Bangladesh XI - Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto(captain), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das(WK), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana.