India Team. (Photo Source: BCCI)
Bangladesh were no match for India in the opening T20I of the three-match series. Be it with the bat or with the ball, the Suryakumar Yadav-led side was head and shoulders above the visitors as they won the game by seven wickets and with 8.1 overs remaining. They played an aggressive brand of cricket and the same is expected to be repeated in the second T20I in Delhi.
The goal for the batters would be to be more consistent. Losing wickets is a byproduct of playing aggressively but against stronger opponents, they cannot afford that. When it comes to the bowling unit, they were brilliant, to say the least, and it needs to be seen if the Bangla Tigers prepare better for the second game or if everything will be the same.
Meanwhile, here’s how India can line up for the second T20I:
Openers – Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk)
Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson. (Source – BCCI)
Youngster Abhishek Sharma started well in the last game but could not capitalize. He was run out after scoring 16 runs off seven deliveries, which also disappointed former cricketer and Abhishek’s mentor Yuvraj Singh. Notably, he was terrific in the last edition of the IPL and did a good job against Zimbabwe earlier in the year and if he manages to keep up with that form, the 24-year-old can retain his spot in the playing XI. With Shubman Gill and Yashasi Jaiswal present, the competition is very tough and he won’t be getting plenty of opportunities.
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Sanju Samson also cannot ruin the opportunity he got. The Kerala-born cricketer scored 29 runs off 19 deliveries in the last game and will be hoping to score more in the second T20I. He showed glimpses of his class but unless the cricketer converts it into a big score, he will not be considered again. The competition is intense in the Indian team at the moment and opportunities will not arrive easily.
Middle Order batters – Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh
Rinku Singh and Suryakumar Yadav. (Source – Getty Images)
Captain Suryakumar Yadav made 29 runs off 14 deliveries in the first game. He will keep playing in such an aggressive manner and will score big sooner than later. Once he gets into his zone, the Mumbai-born cricketer is tough to bowl to, as he can play shots at every corner of the ground. Against Bangladesh, he will fancy a big knock in the second T20I.
Rinku Singh meanwhile didn’t get a chance to bat in the first game. Due to a lack of batting opportunities in the IPL, the flamboyant cricketer failed to make it to India’s squad for the T20 World Cup and since then, his form is also a matter of concern. He did very well in the UPT20 but the cricketer needs to spend more time in the middle to find rhythm. Once he does, he can be the perfect successor of MS Dhoni, when it comes to finishing games.
All-rounders – Nitish Kumar Reddy, Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, Washington Sundar
Hardik Pandya. (Source – Twitter/X)
Nitish Kumar Reddy made 16* runs off 15 deliveries in the first T20I. He also bowled two overs, conceding 17 runs without any success. After a stunning IPL season, Nitish was called up for the Zimbabwe series but had to miss out owing to an injury. He has a good opportunity now to impress the team management and the selectors and cement his place in the squad.
Hardik Pandya wreaked havoc in the first T20I. He smashed 39* runs off 16 deliveries to win India the game and with the ball, he picked up the wicket of Shoriful Islam and conceded 26 runs in his four overs. His no-look shot in the first game also went viral and the all-rounder will be hoping to keep up with the momentum.
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Riyan Parag meanwhile did not get an opportunity to bat in the first game. It won’t be surprising if he is promoted to number four in the second match, especially if India bat first. He has shown his class in the last edition of the IPL but playing a big and memorable knock for India is still on the cards.
Washington Sundar conceded 12 runs in his two overs and picked up the wicket of Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. He did not get a chance to bat but is someone who can bat at any position. Players like him are an asset to the Indian team.
Bowlers – Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh and Mayank Yadav
Varun Chakravarthy. (Source – BCCI)
Varun Chakravarthy made his return to the Indian team in the first T20I after three years. He picked up three wickets in the game and that has sealed his spot in the playing XI for the remaining two games. He was preferred ahead of Ravi Bishnoi and the player would now hope to keep up with the form and seal his spot in the playing XI.
Arshdeep Singh picked up a three-wicket haul as well. He was very economical, conceding just 14 runs in 3.5 overs. He has done well for the Indian team in the shortest format and will hope to continue in the same manner. His bowling with the new ball is also very crucial for the team.
Lastly, Mayank Yadav made his debut for the national team in the last game. After an impressive start in the IPL, he got ruled out following an injury. After training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for almost six months, he is now back and doing a job. He conceded just 21 runs in four overs and picked up the wicket of Mahmudullah.
India’s probable squad for the second T20I against Bangladesh
Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Suryakumar Yadav (c), Nitish Reddy, Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav.
