India look to consolidate top Test spot against Bangladesh

Virat Kohli’s India will be aiming to strengthen their number one position in the world Test championship when they start a two-match series against Bangladesh on Thursday.  
India start as favourites to pick up 120 points from the two games against a Bangladesh side missing key players.  

The hosts have recorded two sweeps in the five-day format since the start of the Test championship in August, beating South Africa and the West Indies. New Zealand and Sri Lanka are second and third, already 180 points behind though they have played only one series each.  

India go into the first match in Indore boosted by a 2-1 Twenty20 series win over Bangladesh.  

Kohli, who opted out of the T20 matches, returns to lead the side that recently won their record 11th straight series at home.  

Rohit Sharma has been on hot form, hitting two centuries and a double ton in his debut series as opener against South Africa.  
The pace department also looks settled despite the absence of injured Jasprit Bumrah and played a key part in the three convincing Test wins over South Africa.