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India Predicted XI vs Bangladesh, 1st Test: No Sarfaraz Khan And Star Spinner To be Ignored?

Team India will be back in action after 45 days as the Rohit Sharma-led side faces Bangladesh in the first Test of a two-match series, starting on Thursday in Chennai. This will be Gautam Gambhir's first assignment as head coach of the Indian team, having first taken charge during the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year. On the eve of the match, Gambhir gave a press conference where he hinted about the team's combination in the series opener.

Gautam Gambhir All But Confirms India's XI For 1st Test vs Bangladesh. Says "We Don't Drop..."

Ahead of the first Test against Bangladesh, India head coach Gautam Gambhir on Wednesday all but confirmed the team's playing for the game in Chennai. Gambhir also insisted that the opposition must learn to tackle spin-friendly conditions, even though the first Test in Chennai is set to be played on red soil track, which is known for creating conditions in favour of the fast bowlers. As far as India's playing XI is concerned, Gambhir gave away a few hints as to how the Rohit Sharma-led side might line-up against Bangladesh.

"Can Take On Any Spin Unit": Gautam Gambhir On India's Batting Lineup

India head coach Gautam Gambhir on Wednesday expressed confidence in his batting unit's capability to negate quality spin bowling, a challenge they are expected to face in the Test series against Bangladesh. India batters, including star batter Virat Kohli, struggled against Sri Lankan spinners in the ODI-leg of the recent away white-ball series, leading to a tinge of apprehension ahead of the Bangladesh rubber. "Our batting unit has so much quality that it can take on any spin unit. There is a lot of difference between ODIs and Tests. It's all about the mindset and working and strengthening your defence and once you have it, then you play around it," Gambhir told the media on the eve of the opening Test.

India Look To Spin A New Story But Tricky Bangladesh No Pushovers

Littered largely with lopsided contests, India's hopes of walking down that familiar path will hinge on sorting an uncharacteristic batting infirmity against spin when they face Bangladesh in a two-Test series starting in Chennai from Thursday. Bangladesh, who are fresh from a recent 2-0 drubbing of Pakistan, are no pushovers this time and this will add to India's list of concerns as they look to take that bold first step into a long season that features 10 Tests, including a possible berth in the World Test Championship Final.

Virat Kohli Asks Gautam Gambhir About On-Field Altercations, Left Stumped By His Reply

Famously portrayed as the hero and villain in different situations, Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir have joined hands to put an end to the 'masala' that has been driving social media chatter around their relationship for years. Gambhir and Kohli have had some famous altercations on the field, particularly in the Indian Premier League (IPL), dividing their fanbases on social media. However, as the two share the dressing room as coach and player in the Indian team, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided to put an end to the rumours through an interview, for the first time ever.

Star India Pacer Sends Verbal Warning To Australia, Says "They Should Be..."

India pace bowling stalwart Mohammed Shami has sent a verbal warning to Australia ahead of the looming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between Australia and India, starting in December. India have won the last four Test series between the two nations, all by a 2-1 margin. Two of these have been in Australia, where India recorded historic series wins. Shami - who is expected to play a key role Down Under in the upcoming series - has let his thoughts know on who are the favourites.

"I Listened To Hanuman Chalisa, Virat Kohli Chanted...": Gautam Gambhir's Big Revelation In Interview

In a freewheeling chat, India head coach Gautam Gambhir sat down with star batter and former teammate Virat Kohli and recalled fond memories of playing together. On the eve of the first Test against Bangladesh, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a video of Kohli interviewing Gambhir and vice-versa. Kohli got the conversation underway by asking Gambhir about his double hundred against Australia in a Test in Delhi in 2008 and what kept the former India going during that knock.

Bangladesh Tests 'No Dress Rehearsal', Says India Skipper Rohit Sharma

Captain Rohit Sharma on Tuesday warned his India team there is "no dress rehearsal" in cricket as they face a Bangladesh side fresh from a historic Test series win over Pakistan. India lead the World Test Championship (WTC) standings ahead of Australia, where Rohit's team will tour for a five-match series later in the year. But first they host Bangladesh in a two-Test series, starting with the opener in the northern Indian city of Chennai from Thursday. India are clear favourites but the visitors recently celebrated a landmark 2-0 series sweep in Pakistan. "There is no dress rehearsal kind of stuff happening here," Rohit told reporters, cautioning against minds turning too quickly to Australia.

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Virat Kohli Sport News

India Predicted XI vs Bangladesh, 1st Test: No Sarfaraz Khan And Star Spinner To be Ignored?

Gautam Gambhir All But Confirms India's XI For 1st Test vs Bangladesh. Says "We Don't Drop..."

"Can Take On Any Spin Unit": Gautam Gambhir On India's Batting Lineup

India Look To Spin A New Story But Tricky Bangladesh No Pushovers

Virat Kohli Asks Gautam Gambhir About On-Field Altercations, Left Stumped By His Reply

Star India Pacer Sends Verbal Warning To Australia, Says "They Should Be..."

"I Listened To Hanuman Chalisa, Virat Kohli Chanted...": Gautam Gambhir's Big Revelation In Interview

Bangladesh Tests 'No Dress Rehearsal', Says India Skipper Rohit Sharma