The need for a left-arm pacer during the five-Test series in Australia later this year has prompted the national selectors to include Yash Dayal in the squad for the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai.

Sources told The Telegraph that the issue was discussed during Sunday’s selection meeting, which included among others captain Rohit Sharma.

Mohammed Shami’s probable return for the Australia tour — the first Test begins in Perth on November 22 — is expected to strengthen the attack but the consensus was that a left-arm pacer was still needed to break the monotony of the one-dimensional pace attack.

Dayal and Arshdeep Singh were considered along with Khaleel Ahmed but the former got the nod because of his extra pace and additional experience in first-class cricket.

Arshdeep has been an integral part of India’s white ball team but his exposure to red ball has been limited. Former head coach Ravi Shastri had highlighted the need to pitchfork the Punjab pacer into the longer format, especially on overseas tours.

Shastri had harped on Arshdeep’s importance after India’s defeat in the first Test in Centurion last year. However, he hasn’t been a regular with the Punjab side in the Ranji Trophy and his ability to bowl long spells has come under scrutiny.

Arshdeep turned out for Kent last season, featuring in five matches, in his bid to master the art of swing with the red ball. However, his performance in the opening match of the Duleep Trophy, where he turned out for India A, failed to inspire the selectors.

Khaleel’s case is almost similar and the selectors decided to reward consistent performances.

The need to manage the workload of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj in the five home Tests — two versus Bangladesh and three against New Zealand next month — were also considered. With three spinners likely to make the XI at home, the selectors will play only one among Bumrah and Siraj while trying out new faces like Akash Deep and Dayal.

Dayal has transformed his bowling since he was carted for 29 runs off the last over, including five consecutive sixes, by his Uttar Pradesh teammate Rinku Singh in an IPL match. His switch to RCB last season from Gujarat Titans has come as a big boon for the 26-year-old.

He has learnt to deal with nerves, as was evident during last season’s IPL, while enhancing his bowling by mastering the variations — back of the hand slower ball, the cutter and the ability to study a batter’s weak points.

A four-day camp has been scheduled in Chennai from Thursday before the first Test from September 19 and he will get an opportunity to work with bowling coach Morne Morkel.

This season could be a make-or-break one for Dayal and he’s aware of his responsibilities. His second innings display (3/50) in the Duleep Trophy for India B in Bengaluru was keenly followed by the selectors. If he can deliver, the left-armer will be a potent weapon in India’s pace armoury.