Bangladesh vs India 2nd Test: 3 Changes India can make for BAN vs IND Second Test

Bangladesh vs India 2nd Test is slated to take place on Thursday (22 December) in Dhaka. The first Test between Bangladesh and India saw the visitors crushing the hosts by a massive margin of 188 runs and taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Their thumping win took them second on the points table of the ICC World Test Championship and they now have a fair chance to play the final.

As the second game between the teams is a few days away, let’s take a look at the 3 changes India make for the second Test.

1. Rohit Sharma to replace Shubman Gill

If fit, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma is likely to replace Shubman Gill. Gill will have to warm the bench despite scoring century in the first game. Although it’ll be a tough call to make considering the youngster’s heroics in the first game but being the third opener in the side, he has to make way for the senior player.

2. Jaydev Unadkat in place of Mohammed Siraj

After toiling hard in the domestic circuit, Saurashtra pacer Jaydev Unadkat is back on the side after almost 12 years. The pacer has been a staggering performer in the Ranji Trophy, where he picked up 115 wickets in 21 matches, and if a team wants to rest Mohammed Siraj ahead of the jam-packed home season, the left-arm pacer will be the ideal replacement. Unadkat last represented India in the 2010-11 tour of South Africa, where he went wicketless and then never found himself in the side.

3. Navdeep Saini in place of Umesh Yadav

Navdeep Saini was also among those who were added late to the side. With India already being 1-0 up in the series, they can look to test their bench strength. In that case, Umesh Yadav can be rested and Saini can be brought back into the XI. The Delhi pacer of late has struggled a lot with fitness with his last match coming against Australia in the 2020-21 Border Gavaskar Trophy. With spin-friendly tracks in Bangladesh, his pace could be a lethal weapon for India on flat decks. Although this change is unlikely to happen, but the team could well be tempted to bring Saini into the mix.