While pace sensation Mayank Yadav will be expected to show his raw speed, the absence of India’s T20I regulars will give fringe players a fresh chance in the tri-match series against Bangladesh starting here on Sunday. Become.
Mayank had captured the attention of the cricket world after consistently clocking speeds of over 150km/h in the first Indian Premier League (IPL) match earlier this year, before he was forced to miss the tournament with a side strain.
Normally, players need to prove their suitability in domestic cricket to be considered for international selection, but the 22-year-old has quickly broken into the squad given his special talent.
The series against Bangladesh will be a test of his fitness and temperament. It remains to be seen whether he can show the same precision and control that he showed in the IPL.
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Apart from Mayank, fellow Delhi pacer Harshit Rana and all-rounder Nitish Kumar are also likely to make their India debut during the series.
Nitish was selected for the post-T20 World Cup tour of Zimbabwe, but was injured and Harshit missed the five-match series in Harare.
Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj and Axar Patel have been rested from the T20I against Bangladesh as the Test against New Zealand takes priority.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya are the two big names in the team, while Shivam Dube and Arshdeep Singh are the other two who were part of the World Cup-winning unit.
The break in the regulars will give players like Abhishek Sharma, who hit a hundred for Zimbabwe, an opportunity to build up their credentials. Sanju Samson is likely to feature in the series opener alongside the southpaw.
Riyan Parag has won six T20Is since July but has not been able to repeat the impressive form he showed in IPL 2024. The Bangladesh match gave him another chance to make a strong impact.
The series will mark the return of mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, who abruptly halted his international career after the disastrous 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE. Another specialist spinner in the team is Ravi Bishnoi.
Jitesh Sharma, who was selected as the reserve wicketkeeper, has not played since the IPL in June. The Vidarbha cricketer has not done much to write home about in the nine T20Is he has played so far. He will be desperate to win the match.
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The three matches will serve as an audition for four players for next month’s T20 in South Africa, but most of the regular T20 players remain unavailable due to the proximity of the Australia Test, which begins on November 22.
The series will also give IPL franchises more clarity about the Indian players they want to retain ahead of the mega auction.
Bangladesh begins life without Shakib
It will be almost impossible to replace someone like Shakub Al Hasan, but Bangladesh will have to plan for life without a champion all-rounder. Shakib recently announced his retirement from Tests and T20s, leaving a huge void in the team.
Although Bangladesh won the last Test series, most of the T20 players did not take part in the last two matches and will not carry any baggage to the white-ball leg of the tour.
Off-spinner Mehdi Hasan Miraz has been recalled to the squad for the first time in 14 months. Veteran batsman Mahmudullah is at a crossroads in his career and a solid series against the world champions could provide him with extra motivation.
International cricket returns to Gwalior after 14 years
The Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Stadium, built on the outskirts of the city, will make its international debut on Sunday. Hosting international matches in small centers has its own set of challenges, but the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) is well prepared despite some hiccups.
The perimeter wall of the stadium caved in after unusually heavy rain in the area last month, but has been repaired.
The Captain Roop Singh Stadium in the city hosted Gwalior’s last international match in 2010, when Sachin Tendulkar completed his famous double-handle.
the squad india
Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (week), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jitesh Sharma (week), Arshdeep Singh, Harshitrana, Mayank Yadav.
bangladesh
Nazimul Hossain Shanto (c), Tanjid Hasan Tamim, Parvez Hossain Emon, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmoud Ullah, Litton Kumer Das, Jaykar Ali Anik, Mehdi Hassan Miraz, Shaq Mahedi – Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Takin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Saqib, Rakibul Hasan.
