Rishabh Pant In, KL Rahul Axed; Australia's WC Winner Reveals His Predicted XI For Bangladesh Tests
An old picture of KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant (X.com)
Australia's formidable left-arm bowler Brad Hogg has disclosed his predicted playing XI for the highly anticipated clash between India and Bangladesh. The two are slated to lock horns in a two-match Test series starting September 19.
Recently, there has been much discussion over who would be the first choice keeper between KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. KL, who has been a part of the Indian set-up for quite some time, is facing tough competition from India's talented Test batter Rishabh Pant.
As revealed by Brad Hogg, he snubbed KL Rahul and Axar Patel in his probable XI and gave Jadeja a promotion in the batting order by putting him at No.5 ahead of Rishabh Pant.
Although, Sarfaraz has not been released from India B’s Duleep Trophy 2024 squad and Rahul is highly likely to feature in the Test against Najmul Hossain Shanto’s side in Chennai, Hogg still picked Sarfaraz Khan instead of Rahul in the middle order.
“The XI that I am going or the first Test match against Bangladesh for India – Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma open the batting. Gill at three, Kohli at 4, and Jadeja coming at five just to keep that left-handed right-hand combination going. Sarfaraz Khan, Pant and then you’re into the bowlers, where you’ve got Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj, and Bumrah,” said Hogg.
Ganguly happy with Rishabh Pant's Test return
Not just Hogg, India great, Sourav Ganguly has also recently heaped praises on Rishabh Pant. Known for his excellent stroke play, Pant has been a vital element in India's Test setup since debut in 2018.
"I consider Rishabh Pant one of India's best Test batsmen. I'm not surprised that he's back in the side, and he will continue to play for India in Tests. He will be an all-time great in Tests if he keeps performing like this. For me, he needs to get better in the shorter formats. With the talent he has, I'm sure with time, he will become one of the best," he added.
Hogg’s India Playing XI for 1st Test vs Bangladesh:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
 "Muskaan Bhatt")
