Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav has confirmed that wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson will open the innings with youngster Abhishek Sharma in the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh. The series will start with the first T20I at the New Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium in Gwalior on Sunday, October 6 as well.

Notably, India have rested Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, who featured in the Test series against Bangladesh. Further, while Rohit Sharma has retired from T20Is, Ruturaj Gaikwad was not picked in the squad for the three-match series as well. Meanwhile, Abhishek was the only frontline opener named in the Indian squad for the T20Is against Bangladesh.

Speaking on the eve of the series, skipper Suryakumar said: “Sanju Samson will be the second opener. He will play and open in this series going forward.”

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However, Samson (29) has been in and out of Team India’s white-ball squads over the last few years. In 30 T20Is, he has smashed 444 runs at a strike rate of 131.36, with two fifties to his name as well.

“We didn’t find the wicket low and slow. We practiced for 2-3 days and did not find a lot of difference. The wickets are good for T20 cricket over here. It will be competitive for sure,” he added. “He has that extra pace and X factor. All players have it, not just him. I have not played him in the nets because our net plans were a bit up and down. Someone else played him, but I have seen and know the kind of potential he has and I am also aware of the kind of difference that he can make. So, let’s see. I am hoping he will do well.”

However, Suryakumar Yadav also gave a cheeky reply on whether he will bowl in IND vs BAN 2024 T20Is

“Hopefully, it won’t come to that (smiles). But yeah, we enjoyed it. We were 2-0 up in the series, but at the same time, we thought let’s do something different. We had a few overs left of the fast bowlers, but I wanted to do something different at that moment because the wicket was turning. Just took a chance and it worked really well,” he concluded. “It’s good if batters can send down one or two overs. In this squad, I think there is hardly anyone who doesn’t bowl a little. It gives you options. As you saw in Sri Lanka, Riyan [Parag] bowled four overs. If someone has the skills to bowl in pressure situation, then this is the platform.”