India vs Bangladesh 2024, 3rd T20I: India’s strongest predicted playing 11 against Bangladesh. (Photo Source: BCCI)

The third T20I between India and Bangladesh in Hyderabad might be a dead-rubber as far as the series is concerned, but presents a unique opportunity for substantial amount of changes made to both sides, particularly the hosts, who have all of four players to Test from their bench. Having gone unchanged in the first couple of T20Is held in Gwalior and Delhi, Suryakumar Yadav & Co. would be more than keen on testing the players who have not had a chance to showcase themselves, even if it means for a solitary game.

The next instance of India hosting a bilateral series which involves T20Is would be against England in January next year. With that particular series being a five-match affair, the fringe players can be expected to gain more gametime than normal, provided the management feels that way. A four-match series against South Africa will of course be a platform to try out a few players who don’t really get adequate opoportunities.

However, the T20 World Cup to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in 2026 would be something which would be taken into consideration as well. With quite a few Tests lined up in 2025 as well as there being a fair share of ODIs to be scheduled, taking the mega-event to be played in a couple of years would be the possible way to go for the Indian think tank. With the retirement of three of India’s greats in the format, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja, a few spots have already opened up with a lot more vacancies primed to be begging to be filled in coming to existence in the near future.

Exciting times lie ahead as we delve into the XI which India might go ahead with during the third and final T20I of the 20-over segment against Bangladesh, slated to commence at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on October 12 at 7 pm IST.   

Also Read: India vs Bangladesh Match Preview, 3rd T20I

Here’s India’s best Predicted Playing XI for third T20I vs Bangladesh     

Openers – Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma

Sanju Samson was named as the first-choice opener for the series alongside left-handed batter Abhishek Sharma for the Bangladesh T20Is. Samson did put up an impressive 29 in the first game at Gwalior, he failed to live up to the expectations, falling out rather cheaply in the following game at New Delhi.

Meanwhile, his opening partner Abhishek Sharma too has had a quiet series so far. In both the matches played, he has shown early signs of getting a couple of glorious boundaries, only to throw away his wicket in a very casual manner. As a result, the opening duo will be looking to mend a few broken things in the upcoming game.

Middle-order – Suryakumar Yadav (c), Rinku Singh, Riyan Parag

Suryakumar Yadav has been named the designated captain for the T20Is for the Men in Blue, but that doesn’t seem to have an impact on his individual performances. A promising 29-run knock in the first match meant that Yadav was ready to better his feat in the second game, which however, couldn’t happen, as he had to walk back for just 8 in Delhi.

Often after Suryakumar gets dismissed, it is time for Rinku Singh‘s arrival, and the left-handed batter did show a stellar 53 in the second match, wherein he was also involved in a match-deciding 108-run stand with Nitish Kumar Reddy. In tomorrow’s game, a lot will depend on how the two batters perform for India to clean sweep the Bangla Tigers.

Glimpses of Riyan Parag‘s attacking prowess were visible in the previous game when he struck a couple of lusty blows off Tanzim Hasan Sakib, but that was about it. He surely seems someone who can be banked on when it comes to a couple of overs of spin here and there. His main forte is batting though, something the team would want to test out to its fullest in the forthcoming fixture.

 All-rounders – Nitish Kumar Reddy, Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar

As surprising as it may sound in the first go, Nitish Kumar Reddy has scored the most runs in the series so far, with 90 runs across 2 innings. His feat in New Delhi for his 74-run knock, coupled with two wickets in the second innings, saw him earn a Player of the Match award. And he’ll be hoping to continue his good form in Hyderabad as well.

The star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, is one name in the Indian squad, that cannot be kept away from any aspect of the game, be it batting, bowling, or fielding. Two quick thirties in both the matches, and a solitary wicket in the limited overs, not to forget a spectacular catch at deep mid-wicket have been the highlight for Pandya this series.

Pandya will be supported well by Washington Sundar, who has developed a habit of bowling economical spells, while also stemming the flow of runs. He has taken just two wickets in the series so far, but has conceded runs at just 5.33 runs per over (RPO). His handy contributions with the bat may also be utilized by the Indian team in the upcoming game.

Bowlers – Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav

Harshit Rana is the only change expected to be made in India’s Playing XI for the upcoming T20I. Rana is yet to earn his maiden international cap, and the last game in Hyderabad might just be the perfect night for the youngsters to don the national jersey for the first time. He is expected to replace Varun Chakravarthy, as India may try out something with Rana.

Arshdeep Singh is hands down the most consistently performing pacer for the Indian team in the T20I circuit. The left-arm seamer delivered a Player of the Match-winning performance in the Gwalior tie, followed by another successful outing in the second match. Arshdeep swung his blade in New Delhi to help India extend their total in the first innings, and hence, his batting also may come handy in case of an unfortunate collapse.

Express speedster Mayank Yadav has had the majority of the attention throughout the series for his sheer pace, courtesy of which he even bowled a maiden over, which notably, was his first-ever in international cricket.  Across the 48 balls bowled in the series, Mayank has conceded only 51 runs and also got the better of a couple of Bangladeshi batters. However, the pacer would hope to produce a match-winning spell in the final match to make the series an even memorable one.

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

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