December 2, 2024

Gambhir Rejoins India Test Squad in Australia

Finalizing the playing XI for the second Test will be a priority for Gautam Gambhir upon his return to the touring party. India’s head coach is set to rejoin the team in Australia on Tuesday after leaving the country for “personal reasons.”

Gambhir had missed India’s two-day tour match, which was shortened to a limited-overs game due to rain on the first day, against the Australian Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra. He had departed for home following the first Test in Perth, which concluded on November 25, leaving on November 26, the originally scheduled final day of the match.

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Gambhir Returns to Tackle Selection Dilemma as Rohit and Gill Return to Contention

In Gambhir’s absence, the support staff—including Abhishek Nayar, Ryan ten Doeschate, and Morne Morkel—managed the team’s training and participated in the Canberra fixture, which India won by six wickets. Harshit Rana shone with figures of 4 for 44, while Shubman Gill played a pivotal role with a quick 50 off 62 balls.

Now, Gambhir faces the challenge of navigating the complex discussions surrounding India’s playing XI. Rohit Sharma, the regular Test captain, rejoined the team after missing the first Test to be with his wife for the birth of their second child. In Rohit’s absence, Jasprit Bumrah led India to a comprehensive 295-run victory in Perth.

Gill, who had missed that Test due to a fractured right thumb sustained during training, is now back in contention. If India opts to bring Rohit and Gill into the XI, replacing Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel—who were part of the Perth lineup—questions arise about the opening combination. Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul had a strong double-century first-wicket partnership in India’s second innings in Perth. While the pink-ball tour game in Canberra was not a full-scale match, indications suggest that Jaiswal and Rahul will continue as openers, with Gill slotting in at No. 3. Rohit might move to the middle order behind Virat Kohli, with Rishabh Pant confirmed as another key middle-order starter.

Mehidy to Captain Bangladesh in West Indies ODIs as Shakib Remains Absent

Regular captain Najmul Hossain Shanto remains sidelined due to a groin strain, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz set to continue leading Bangladesh in the ODI series against West Indies. Mehidy was appointed captain for the ongoing two-Test series in the Caribbean, which the hosts currently lead 1-0, while Shanto has been absent due to his injury.

Shakib Al Hasan, who has not played for Bangladesh since the Tests in India, is also missing from the squad. BCB president Faruque Ahmed noted that the senior allrounder is not “in a mental state to play for the country.” Middle-order batter Towhid Hridoy is also excluded after sustaining a groin injury while playing football. Mushfiqur Rahim is absent as he recovers from a finger injury, and Mustafizur Rahman has opted out of the series for personal reasons.

Left-handed opener Zakir Hasan has been dropped from the team. However, Litton Das returns after missing the ODIs against Afghanistan in November. Parvez Hossain Emon, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Hasan Mahmud, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib have all been included in the squad.

Shakib Al Hasan’s ODI Return Hinges on Preparation and Resolution of Issues

Shakib Al Hasan, who retired from Tests and T20Is in September, also missed the ODIs against Afghanistan last month. He had played seven matches for the Bangla Tigers in the Abu Dhabi T10 but did not travel to Dhaka for his farewell Test against South Africa in October due to protests following his inclusion in an FIR related to an alleged murder during political unrest in the country.

BCB president Faruque Ahmed stated that Shakib remains in contention for selection in ODIs, but he needs sufficient preparation to return to the national side. “Right now, he [Shakib] is still in the list,” Ahmed said. “We hope that the issues get resolved in a way that suits him. He still has the capability to play for the national team. However, playing for a franchise and playing for the country are different. Preparation and team integration are essential, and since he can’t do that at the moment, I don’t think he is in a mental state to play for the country. Because of this, we have left the decision up to him.”

The players named for the ODI series will depart from Dhaka on Monday to join the rest of the squad in St Kitts for the matches on December 8, 10, and 12.

Bangladesh ODI squad vs West Indies

Mehidy Hasan Miraz (capt), Litton Das (wk), Tanzid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Parvez Hossain, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali, Afif Hossain, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan, Nahid Rana.

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