IND vs BAN 1st Test: MA Chidambaram Stadium Chennai pitch report, India's playing XI and live streaming on TV, OTT and more

After weeks of break for Indian international cricket, Team India is back and this time to face Bangladesh in a 2-match Test series. The Men in Blue will aim to resume their World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 campaign on a high note and get their first win at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, starting Thursday (September 19).

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Led by Rohit Sharma, India will play their first red-ball match since their commanding 4-1 series victory over England at home in March. Meanwhile, Bangladesh, under the captaincy of Najmul Hossain Shanto, will enter the series with momentum after a recent 2-0 away series win against Pakistan.

Where to watch:

The Test matches will not include any day-night matches, with the day's play commencing at 9:30 AM (IST). Fans can watch the live broadcast on the Sports18 channel. Additionally, the live stream of the matches can be viewed on JioCinema app and website.

Preps in full swing here in Chennai! 🙌

Inching closer to the #INDvBAN Test opener ⏳#TeamIndia | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/F9Dcq0AyHi

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 14, 2024

India on the WTC points table:

The series will be critical for India, which presently leads the standings with a win percentage of 68.52. They will be well-prepared for their third consecutive title match. Bangladesh, on the other hand, ranks fourth with a win percentage of 48.53.

India has won ten and drawn two of their previous 12 Tests against Bangladesh. However, this will just be Bangladesh's third red ball series in India.

India's predicted playing XI for 1st Test vs Bangladesh:

The batting unit regroups following the comeback of KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel would make room for the two. The top three will be Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shubman Gill, with Virat Kohli coming in fourth. 

Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja could be selected ahead of Kuldeep Yadav to provide batting depth. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj - who did not participate in the first game of the Duleep Trophy - but are expected to start for India in the series. Bumrah is 100%, but if India decides to bench Siraj, Akash Deep will have a terrific opportunity.

Squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj/Akash Deep

🚨 NEWS 🚨- Team India's squad for the 1st Test of the IDFC FIRST Bank Test series against Bangladesh announced.

Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep… pic.twitter.com/pQn7Ll7k3X

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 8, 2024

MA Chidambaram Stadium pitch report:

The pitches at Chepauk are typically spin-friendly and constructed of black soil. However, according to the Indian Express, a red soil wicket may be utilized for the first Test because Bangladesh is more used to playing on slower black soil wickets at home.

The last time a Test match was played at this stadium, India defeated England by 317 runs, with local star Ravichandran Ashwin shining with both bat and ball, taking five wickets and smashing a century.

India vs Bangladesh squads:

India (1st Test): Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant (Wicket-keeper), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Md. Siraj, Akash Deep, Yash Dayal

Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (Wicket-keeper), Litton Kumer Das (wk), Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Jaker Ali Anik

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