With World Test Championship (WTC) final in the mind, team India would look forward to whitewashing Bangladesh in the two-match Test series and improve their position in the table. However, after a defeat in the ODI series and without the likes of Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, it’s not going to be an easy task for the Indians - even though Bangladesh are yet to beat them in a Test match.

Now, with so many regular players set to miss the first match at Chattogram, this will open up an opportunity for others to cash in. However, there are three cricketers who might have to wait longer for an opportunity. Who are these players? Let’s jump straight in without any further ado -

3 Indian Players who could be benched in 1st Test against Bangladesh

Following an injury to Rohit Sharma, Abhimanyu Easwaran has been called up for the first Test against Bangladesh. However, with the availability of Shubman Gill and stand-in skipper KL Rahul, Easwaran may once again be seen warming the bench. Even though his recent numbers in domestic cricket or for India A are phenomenal, the Bengal opener is quite behind in the pecking order.

The 27-year-old played 78 first-class games and scored 5576 runs at an average of 45.33. Despite that, young opener Gill is likely to get the nod because of his experience with the national team. The 23-year-old played 11 Test matches for India and scored 579 runs at an average of 30.47. The top-order batter played a sensational innings (91 runs) against Australia in the fourth <b><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/social-tracker-cricket/this-ones-for-all-those-who-have-kept-believing-supporting-me-jaydev-unadkat-shares-emotional-post-after-test-selection-for-bangladesh-series/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Test</a></b> at Gabba in 2021 and ever since, solidified his place as the third-choice opener in the team.

Easwaran, on the other hand, scored back-to-back centuries in the recently concluded India A tour of Bangladesh. Now, in case Rohit Sharma fails to return back for the second Test and Gill fails to perform in the first, Easwaran might make his debut but at the moment, he is likely to get benched at Chattogram.

Even though Rishabh Pant is currently out of form in limited-overs cricket, the wicket-keeper batter remains to be India’s number-one choice in red-ball cricket and that unfortunately keeps KS Bharat out of India’s playing XI.

Now, despite being a part of the Indian team for a long time, the 29-year-old is yet to make his international debut. In 83 first-class games so far, Bharat scored 4502 runs, at an average of 37.83. In the second unofficial Test against Bangladesh A, the Vishakapatnam-born cricketer scored 77 runs and was brilliant behind the stumps but even so, will have to wait to make his debut for <b><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/iccs-position-on-india-pakistan-cricket-barrier-is-compromised-ramiz-raja/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India</a></b>.

Pant, on the other hand, is one of the first names on the team sheet. He changed India’s approach in the middle, after registering brilliant centuries against Australia and England, among many others. The 25-year-old cricketer played 31 Test matches so far, scoring 2123 runs at an average of 43.32. 

Amidst so many quality pacers, Navdeep Saini may have to wait for his opportunity. With Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Shardul Thakur and Jaydev Unadkat available for selection, Saini may find himself down in the pecking order.

The 30-year-old made his Test debut against <b><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/australias-josh-hazlewood-ruled-out-of-series-opener-against-south-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Australia</a></b> last year but didn’t get enough opportunities to cement his position. In 59 first-class games he played so far, Saini clinched 170 wickets and also contributed with the bat from time to time. Now, unless the surface at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium provides assistance to pace, Saini will be one of the players who will warm the bench.

In the meantime, Siraj and Umesh are the favourites to feature in the playing XI. Now, in case India prefers to pick three pacers, either Unadkat or Thakur could get the nod.

<p>With World Test Championship (WTC) final in the mind, team India would look forward to whitewashing Bangladesh in the two-match Test series and improve their position in the table. However, after a defeat in the ODI series and without the likes of Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, it’s not going to be an easy task for the Indians - even though Bangladesh are yet to beat them in a Test match.</p>
<p>Now, with so many regular players set to miss the first match at Chattogram, this will open up an opportunity for others to cash in. However, there are three cricketers who might have to wait longer for an opportunity. Who are these players? Let’s jump straight in without any further ado -</p>
<h3>3 Indian Players who could be benched in 1st Test against Bangladesh</h3>
<h3>3. Abhimanyu Easwaran</h3>
<p align="center"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/Abhimanyu-Easwaran.jpg" width="640" height="400" alt layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></p>
<p>Following an injury to Rohit Sharma, Abhimanyu Easwaran has been called up for the first Test against Bangladesh. However, with the availability of Shubman Gill and stand-in skipper KL Rahul, Easwaran may once again be seen warming the bench. Even though his recent numbers in domestic cricket or for India A are phenomenal, the Bengal opener is quite behind in the pecking order.</p>
<p>The 27-year-old played 78 first-class games and scored 5576 runs at an average of 45.33. Despite that, young opener Gill is likely to get the nod because of his experience with the national team. The 23-year-old played 11 Test matches for India and scored 579 runs at an average of 30.47. The top-order batter played a sensational innings (91 runs) against Australia in the fourth <b><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/social-tracker-cricket/this-ones-for-all-those-who-have-kept-believing-supporting-me-jaydev-unadkat-shares-emotional-post-after-test-selection-for-bangladesh-series/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Test</a></b> at Gabba in 2021 and ever since, solidified his place as the third-choice opener in the team.</p>
<p>Easwaran, on the other hand, scored back-to-back centuries in the recently concluded India A tour of Bangladesh. Now, in case Rohit Sharma fails to return back for the second Test and Gill fails to perform in the first, Easwaran might make his debut but at the moment, he is likely to get benched at Chattogram.</p>
<h3>2. KS Bharat</h3>
<p align="center"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1664860033962_KS-Bharath.jpeg" width="640" height="400" alt layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></p>
<p>Even though Rishabh Pant is currently out of form in limited-overs cricket, the wicket-keeper batter remains to be India’s number-one choice in red-ball cricket and that unfortunately keeps KS Bharat out of India’s playing XI.</p>
<p>Now, despite being a part of the Indian team for a long time, the 29-year-old is yet to make his international debut. In 83 first-class games so far, Bharat scored 4502 runs, at an average of 37.83. In the second unofficial Test against Bangladesh A, the Vishakapatnam-born cricketer scored 77 runs and was brilliant behind the stumps but even so, will have to wait to make his debut for <b><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/iccs-position-on-india-pakistan-cricket-barrier-is-compromised-ramiz-raja/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India</a></b>.</p>
<p>Pant, on the other hand, is one of the first names on the team sheet. He changed India’s approach in the middle, after registering brilliant centuries against Australia and England, among many others. The 25-year-old cricketer played 31 Test matches so far, scoring 2123 runs at an average of 43.32. </p>
<h3>1. Navdeep Saini</h3>
<p align="center"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/Navdeep-Saini-1.jpg" width="640" height="400" alt layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></p>
<p>Amidst so many quality pacers, Navdeep Saini may have to wait for his opportunity. With Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Shardul Thakur and Jaydev Unadkat available for selection, Saini may find himself down in the pecking order.</p>
<p>The 30-year-old made his Test debut against <b><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/australias-josh-hazlewood-ruled-out-of-series-opener-against-south-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Australia</a></b> last year but didn’t get enough opportunities to cement his position. In 59 first-class games he played so far, Saini clinched 170 wickets and also contributed with the bat from time to time. Now, unless the surface at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium provides assistance to pace, Saini will be one of the players who will warm the bench.</p>
<p>In the meantime, Siraj and Umesh are the favourites to feature in the playing XI. Now, in case India prefers to pick three pacers, either Unadkat or Thakur could get the nod.</p>

<p>With World Test Championship (WTC) final in the mind, team India would look forward to whitewashing Bangladesh in the two-match Test series and improve their position in the table. However, after a defeat in the ODI series and without the likes of Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, it’s not going to be an easy task for the Indians - even though Bangladesh are yet to beat them in a Test match.</p>
<p>Now, with so many regular players set to miss the first match at Chattogram, this will open up an opportunity for others to cash in. However, there are three cricketers who might have to wait longer for an opportunity. Who are these players? Let’s jump straight in without any further ado -</p>
<h3>3 Indian Players who could be benched in 1st Test against Bangladesh</h3>
<h3>3. Abhimanyu Easwaran</h3>
<p align="center"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/Abhimanyu-Easwaran.jpg" width="640" height="400" alt=""></p>
<p>Following an injury to Rohit Sharma, Abhimanyu Easwaran has been called up for the first Test against Bangladesh. However, with the availability of Shubman Gill and stand-in skipper KL Rahul, Easwaran may once again be seen warming the bench. Even though his recent numbers in domestic cricket or for India A are phenomenal, the Bengal opener is quite behind in the pecking order.</p>
<p>The 27-year-old played 78 first-class games and scored 5576 runs at an average of 45.33. Despite that, young opener Gill is likely to get the nod because of his experience with the national team. The 23-year-old played 11 Test matches for India and scored 579 runs at an average of 30.47. The top-order batter played a sensational innings (91 runs) against Australia in the fourth <b><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/social-tracker-cricket/this-ones-for-all-those-who-have-kept-believing-supporting-me-jaydev-unadkat-shares-emotional-post-after-test-selection-for-bangladesh-series/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Test</a></b> at Gabba in 2021 and ever since, solidified his place as the third-choice opener in the team.</p>
<p>Easwaran, on the other hand, scored back-to-back centuries in the recently concluded India A tour of Bangladesh. Now, in case Rohit Sharma fails to return back for the second Test and Gill fails to perform in the first, Easwaran might make his debut but at the moment, he is likely to get benched at Chattogram.</p>
<h3>2. KS Bharat</h3>
<p align="center"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1664860033962_KS-Bharath.jpeg" width="640" height="400" alt=""></p>
<p>Even though Rishabh Pant is currently out of form in limited-overs cricket, the wicket-keeper batter remains to be India’s number-one choice in red-ball cricket and that unfortunately keeps KS Bharat out of India’s playing XI.</p>
<p>Now, despite being a part of the Indian team for a long time, the 29-year-old is yet to make his international debut. In 83 first-class games so far, Bharat scored 4502 runs, at an average of 37.83. In the second unofficial Test against Bangladesh A, the Vishakapatnam-born cricketer scored 77 runs and was brilliant behind the stumps but even so, will have to wait to make his debut for <b><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/iccs-position-on-india-pakistan-cricket-barrier-is-compromised-ramiz-raja/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India</a></b>.</p>
<p>Pant, on the other hand, is one of the first names on the team sheet. He changed India’s approach in the middle, after registering brilliant centuries against Australia and England, among many others. The 25-year-old cricketer played 31 Test matches so far, scoring 2123 runs at an average of 43.32. </p>
<h3>1. Navdeep Saini</h3>
<p align="center"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/Navdeep-Saini-1.jpg" width="640" height="400" alt=""></p>
<p>Amidst so many quality pacers, Navdeep Saini may have to wait for his opportunity. With Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Shardul Thakur and Jaydev Unadkat available for selection, Saini may find himself down in the pecking order.</p>
<p>The 30-year-old made his Test debut against <b><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/australias-josh-hazlewood-ruled-out-of-series-opener-against-south-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Australia</a></b> last year but didn’t get enough opportunities to cement his position. In 59 first-class games he played so far, Saini clinched 170 wickets and also contributed with the bat from time to time. Now, unless the surface at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium provides assistance to pace, Saini will be one of the players who will warm the bench.</p>
<p>In the meantime, Siraj and Umesh are the favourites to feature in the playing XI. Now, in case India prefers to pick three pacers, either Unadkat or Thakur could get the nod.</p>

With World Test Championship (WTC) final in the mind, team India would look forward to whitewashing Bangladesh in the two-match Test series and improve their position in the table. However, after a de

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