Shahbaz Nadeem Dropped From The Indian Test Squad Despite Decent Debut

India have dropped Shahbaz Nadeem for the test series against Bangladesh. The left-arm spinner, who had made his debut in the third test match against South Africa and had put on a decent show in his very first outing, will have to wait for another opportunity.

Nadeem was the replacement of Kuldeep Yadav who had sustained a shoulder niggle just ahead of the Ranchi test match. But, he is fit now and has got back into the squad.

Apart from Nadeem’s axing, the same squad has been picked which played against South Africa. Jasprit Bumrah is still recovering from his stress fracture and India don’t want to rush him.

Ishant Sharma’s performance against South Africa was a little below par in comparison to the other two fast bowlers Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami, but he has been kept in the squad and rightly so.

Ishant has been a consistent performer for India in the longest format of the game in the last couple of years and it only makes sense not to lose confidence in him after one below-par series. Ishant, however, isn’t going to be an automatic pick in the playing XI with Umesh regaining his form.

Rohit Sharma’s success at the top of the order has solved India’s opening woes for the time being. The Indian limited-over vice-captain will continue opening the batting with Mayank Agarwal, while Shubman Gill will be the reserve opener.

Wriddhiman Saha had hurt his finger in the Ranchi test match and he had to go off the field with Rishabh Pant taking up the wicketkeeping role as the substitute wicketkeeper. But, Saha’s injury doesn’t seem to be serious as he has been selected.

Here is the Indian test squad for the series against Bangladesh:

Virat Kohli (C), Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant