Gwalior: India’s T20I squad, led by Suryakumar Yadav, will face off against a more experienced Bangladesh side in the first of a three-match series at Gwalior on Sunday.
With several senior players rested, this series provides an opportunity for India’s fringe players to step up and prove their worth, both in the national setup and ahead of the next IPL season.
India’s squad sees the inclusion of young talents like Mayank Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Harshit Rana, while seasoned campaigners Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh provide balance to the team. Abhishek Sharma, with five T20I caps, will be keen to make a mark, especially as he pairs with Sanju Samson at the top of the order.
Bangladesh, led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, enters the series with a more experienced lineup, including veterans Mahmudullah, Mustafizur Rahman, and Litton Das. However, they will miss the services of Shakib Al Hasan, who recently retired from T20Is. Young players like Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Rishad Hossain will look to continue their impressive form from the T20 World Cup.
The pitch at the Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium remains an unknown factor, as this will be its first international match. With teams batting first in India’s night T20 games averaging over 190 runs in recent months, a high-scoring contest is expected. Cooler evening weather is also anticipated to provide favorable playing conditions.
This series represents a significant opportunity for both teams, with India’s young players seeking to enhance their IPL value, while Bangladesh looks to develop its talent and secure a rare T20I series win against India.