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India (IND) and Bangladesh (BAN) will lock horns in the first T20I of the three-match series on Sunday, October 06 at Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium in Gwalior. After registering an emphatic Test series win by a 2-0 margin against the Bengal Tigers, the Men in Blue are all set to feature in the game’s shortest format.

After the conclusion of the Test series, the Men’s Selection Committee announced a 15-member squad which includes relatively new faces. Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya are the two experienced pros in this roster. Meanwhile, some players have received their maiden call-up, and a few are back in the setup after a couple of years. India will play three T20Is at Gwalior, New Delhi and Hyderabad. They will field their strongest playing XI to edge past the visitors on their home soil.

Here’s India’s Predicted XI against Bangladesh:

Openers: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson

Abhishek Sharma. (Source – Zimbabwe Cricket)

With no Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal in the squad, the hosts will look to go for the dynamic Abhishek Sharma at the top. The southpaw, after having an impressive IPL 2024 season, made his T20I debut in the Zimbabwe series in July this year. Though he had a disappointing debut scoring a four-ball duck Sharma came back strong in the next game scoring a brilliant century. With seven years of IPL experience and also having a taste of playing for the nation, Sharma will look to impress the spectators with his aggressive batting at the top.

Complementing Sharma at the top will be wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson. The Trivandrum-born will be a good support to his junior and can share his expertise in the middle. With not a proper opening pair, India might look to give Samson a chance to open in the game. His career-best T20I innings of 77 runs came as an opener, and he has experience of opening for the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. Sanju will also be India’s first-choice wicket-keeper.

Also Read: ‘My life has come to life’ – Rohit Sharma reflects on his feelings after winning T20 World Cup 2024

Middle Order: Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh

Suryakumar Yadav. (Photo Source: Twitter)

After openers, the middle-order will have the job of adding those crucial runs to the scorecard. Star batter and skipper Suryakumar Yadav will play a huge role in making that possible. The No.2 ranked ICC batter has been a key player for India in this format and has impressed everybody with his range of shots. After leading the side to a 3-0 series win against Sri Lanka, Yadav will be confident to do the same against the eastern neighbours. 

Rinku Singh will be another key component in this middle order. After some outstanding seasons in the IPL, Rinku has been part of the T20I setup for the past year and has contributed well to the limited opportunities given. The left-hander will be optimistic for a great showing with the bat and giving the hosts the late flourish. 

All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar

Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya. (Source – Photo by RANDY BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images)

Hardik Pandya has been a valuable player of Indian cricket for several years, particularly in white-ball cricket, and has regularly contributed to the team’s victory with bat, ball, and also his outstanding fielding. The Gujarat-born will once again have a crucial hand to play in this series. With all his focus now on the shortest format of the game, Pandya will be all set to don the Indian blue and contribute significantly. 

Along with Pandya, Shivam Dube will be another all-rounder on this side. Dube has been phenomenal with the bat and was part of India’s winning T20 World Cup squad. Dube, who is known to hit towering sixes, can bowl some handy overs in the middle and give India crucial breakthroughs. Pandya and he will have a lot of responsibilities with the bat in the later stages of the innings.

The third all-rounder in this squad will be Washington Sundar. The spinning all-rounder will be the second spinner in this squad. The management will look to add Sundar to the XI looking at Gwalior’s pitch favoring the spinners. The southpaw hasn’t been given many opportunities but will be hopeful to grab this one with both his hands. 

Also Read: Hardik Pandya reaches Gwalior for first T20I

Bowlers: Harshit Rana, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav

Arshdeep Singh. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)

In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, India’s pace attack will be led by Arshdeep Singh. The speedster has been part of the T20I squad for the last two years and has been brilliant with the ball in his hand. Singh’s tendency to provide early breakthroughs and bowl pinpoint yorkers in the latter stages will be beneficial for the team against Bangladesh.

Partnering Singh in the fast bowling arsenal will be Harshit Rana. The 22-year-old has quickly risen the ranks after having some good performances in the IPL. Rana was also part of India’s ODI squad against Sri Lanka in August this year and is yet to make his international debut.

India will field another spin bowling option in the form of leg spinner Ravi Bishnoi. Bishnoi has not been only effective with the ball but has shown great fielding skills. In 32 T20Is, Bishnoi has scalped 48 wickets. The Rajasthan-born has been given constant opportunities and is living up to the expectations.

Last one in this XI will be the fast bowler Mayank Yadav. After wreaking havoc in a few matches in IPL 2024, Yadav was being looked at as the next potential big thing in Indian cricket. But an unfortunate injury had sidelined him from the IPL and the next few months. After spending some time at the NCA, the speedster is all set to for his ball to do all the talking. 

Also Check – Watch: Indian pace attack gears up for first T20I against Bangladesh

India’s predicted XI against Bangladesh for the first T20I:

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