After a commanding 2-0 win over Bangladesh in the Test series, India is now preparing for a three-match T20I series against the same opponents. The series is set to begin at the Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Stadium in Gwalior on Sunday, October 6th. Suryakumar Yadav will lead the Indian side, while Najmul Hossain Shanto will captain the Bangladeshi team.
India has rested all the players who participated in the Test series, bringing in five players who missed the previous T20I series against Sri Lanka. Among them is Lucknow Super Giants pacer Mayank Yadav, who earned his first call-up to the Indian team and is likely to make his debut in the opening match.
Besides Mayank, Delhi pacer Harshit Rana and all-rounder Nitish Kumar are also in contention for their first appearances in India’s colours during this series. Nitish was initially selected for the Zimbabwe tour after the T20 World Cup but missed out due to injury, while Harshit did not feature in the five-match series in Harare.
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India will be eager to continue their strong form, while Bangladesh, under Shanto’s leadership, will aim for their first-ever series win against India in the T20 format. Both teams will be looking to make a statement, with the opening match promising to set the tone for an exciting contest.
India
Mayank Yadav is poised to debut in India after a quiet domestic season spent primarily at the NCA. This could mean Harshit Rana may have to wait for his first cap, having missed opportunities in Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. Captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that Sanju Samson will open alongside Abhishek. At the same time, Shivam Dube’s back injury has ruled him out of the series, paving the way for a debut for Nitish Reddy.
Probable XI: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Suryakumar Yadav (c), Nitish Reddy/Washington Sundar, Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav
Bangladesh
Hardik Pandya’s bowling has shown marked improvement since May 2024, with 18 wickets in 14 matches, a significant leap from just six wickets in the year’s first four months. His role as a third pacer will be key, especially on an untested pitch in Gwalior, where his cutters could prove effective.
For Bangladesh, Mahmudullah remains vital as the team transitions beyond Shakib Al Hasan’s era. The choice between fast bowlers Shoriful Islam and Taskin Ahmed will be crucial against India’s batting lineup.
Probable XI: Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das (wk), Nazmul Hossain Santo (c), Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam/Taskin Ahmed
Fantasy XI Suggestion 1:
Sanju Samson, Litton Das, Suryakumar Yadav (Captain), Abhishek Sharma (Vice Captain), Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, Rishad Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mustafizur Rahman, Mayank Yadav, Taskin Ahmed
Fantasy XI Suggestion 2:
Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Abhishek Sharma (Vice Captain), Hardik Pandya (Captain), Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Rishad Hussain, Mehedy Hasan Miraz, Mustafizur Rahman, Arshdeep Singh.
