Predicted India XI for IND vs BAN 1st T20I: Shivam Dube conundrum & first cry for young quicks

The India vs Bangladesh Test series is now over as the attention turns to the shortest format of the game. The Men in Blue has fielded a rather young squad to face the neighbours in a 3-match T20I series. On the other hand, the senior players have been rested for the upcoming IND vs NZ Test series. With quite a few selection conundrums, the biggest however is whether Shivam Dube and Nitish Kumar Reddy would get a chance in the India Playing XI.

Suryakumar Yadav will be spearheading the side as he takes on the reins of the T20I squad from Hardik Pandya. All eyes will be on how the players perform with young pacers Mayank Yadav & Harshit Rana getting their maiden call-up in the India Playing XI. In the absence of the regular pacers, it however will be Arshdeep Singh who will spearhead India’s pace attack.

Who will open for India?

One of the most pertinent questions is – who will be the openers for India? In the absence of Ruturaj Gaikwad, there is a dearth of openers in the team. Abhishek Sharma is the lone opener in the team. On the other hand, Sanju Samson is likely to be promoted up the order to open for his side.

Coming on the game with back-to-back ducks, Samson will be eager to shrug off his poor form and thereby solidify his spot in the team. On the other hand, Samson is slated to get the nod ahead of Jitesh Sharma as the keeper of the team. During the last IPL, Samson promoted himself to bat at number 3 and played well.

Interestingly, Samson has opened for India in T20Is 5 times scoring his highest-ever runs (77) and has a strike rate of 161.54, his highest for India in T20Is. Therefore the odds are stacked highly in favour of Samson opening and having the destructive Abhishek Sharma as his partner.

Heavily fortified top- and middle-order

Depending on how the openers perform, the third and fourth spots would be interchanged between captain Suryakumar Yadav and Riyan Parag. It is expected that SKY will retain his number 3 spot while Parag who had a good IPL 2024 will be keen to showcase his explosive batting style.

India’s ace all-rounder Hardik Pandya will take the number 5 spot and will don the role of the anchor in the team. He can bat according to what the team demands. If the top order fails, he can help his side score quick runs by rotating the strikes. However, if the game demands a big finish from him, one can expect Hardik to perform well.

And at number 6 comes India’s best finisher Rinku Singh. While he has been snubbed a few times in the recent past, the southpaw will be keen to wreak havoc, especially in Gwalior where a run fest is expected. The presence of huge a fortified batting order casts doubts on both Shivam Dube and Nitish Kumar Reddy getting a place in the India Playing XI.

What would be the bowling combination?

India would likely be using two spinners. Former T20I World Number 1 bowler Ravi Bishnoi makes the cut. The Leggie is known to turn the game on its head. With a knack for picking wickets at regular intervals, Bishnoi can tear apart Bangladesh’s batters with relative ease.

At number 7, Washington Sundar would be the last batter. Along with his batting attributes, his ability to turn the ball in slow pitches makes him a huge threat. Washington would be partnering with Bishnoi and looking to make the Bangladeshi batters dance to their tune.

Will Mayank get his debut?

In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh would be tasked to lead India’s charge. He will be a partner with two debutants, Harshit Rana and Mayank Yadav. The two lanky and young pacers rocked IPL 2024 with their sheer speed and grit and now will be eager to shine for India.

Harshit Rana shined brightly for KKR and will be ready to shine again under Gautam Gambhir in the National colours. On the other hand, the young speedster Mayank Yadav has recovered well at the NCA and is now keen to back into action again, this time on national colours.

Predicted India Playing XI for IND vs BAN 1st T20I

Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Riyan Parag, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav

India Squad for IND vs BAN T20Is

Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav