New Delhi: Young pacer Mayank Yadav made a promising debut while Hardik Pandya proved his indispensability in T20Is as a new-look Team India thrashed Bangladesh by seven wickets in the 1st T20I in Gwalior to go 1-0 up in the three-match series. An exceptional bowling effort was followed by a clinical run-chase as Suryakumar Yadav-led India cruised to a thumping victory against the visitors.
Varun Chakaravarthy too completed a dream comeback after three years as the mystery spinner produced an impressive show to play his part in India’s victory. Thanks to brilliant spells from Chakaravarthy and left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, India managed to skittle out Bangladesh for a paltry 127 runs after opting to bowl first in the game before the batters powered them to a comfortable victory.
Arshdeep was arguably the pick of the bowlers for India as he rattled Bangladesh’s top order by removing both their openers cheaply before dismissing tail-ender Mustafizur Rahman to finish with excellent figures of 3/14 off his 3.5 overs. Chakaravarthy was excellent with his variations and bagged a 3-wicket haul in what was an eventful return.
India enjoyed a cakewalk in the chase after openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma provided the team with a cracking start. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav maintained the tempo in the Powerplay after Abhishek’s run-out before Hardik Pandya finished things off in style with his unbeaten 39 off 16 balls.
3 things we learnt from India’s mauling of Bangladesh in 1st T20I:
1) Hardik Pandya is indispensable to India in T20Is
Hardik Pandya might have been overlooked for captaincy but he remains one of India’s most vital cogs in the T20I setup. The star all-rounder proved his worth once again with a terrific show with the bat and the ball against Bangladesh in Gwalior. Pandya bowled a great spell to finish with figures of 1/26 off his 4 overs before playing a match-winning knock with his willow.
His confidence and belief in his abilities were quite evident as he nonchalantly played a remarkable no-look shot off a short ball against Taskin Ahmed. Pandya walked out to bat at no.5 and slammed an unbeaten 39 off 16 balls studded with 5 fours and 2 sixes to wrap up India’s victory in style while showcasing his all-round skills.
2) India’s new-look bowling attack shaping up in T20Is
The Bangladesh T20I series is a chance for India to shape their future bowling attack in T20Is and there was a glimpse of the same in Gwalior as Varun Chakaravrthy returned from exile, making his comeback after 3 years while Mayanak Yadav made a promising debut. Arshdeep Singh was at his usual best with the new ball while Hardik Pandya chipped in with his 4 overs.
Nitish Reddy was also given a couple of overs in the game as the young all-rounder continues to get integrated into international cricket. With the likes of Nitish, Washington Sundar and Axar Patel in their ranks, India might not have to worry a lot when it comes to replacing Ravindra Jadeja in the long-term. In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, Indian pacers held the forte and showcased what the team’s future pace attack could look like.
India also have the likes of Harshit Rana, Mukesh Kumar, Mohammed Siraj, Avesh Khan and Khaleel Ahmed among others who can be roasted and utilised as per conditions in T20Is, highlighting the incredible depth in their pace bowling.
3) India flex their strong bench strength
It was somewhat a new-look Indian side that took the field against Bangladesh in the 1st T20I in Gwalior with only 4 players in the XI, who were a part of the team’s 2024 T20 World Cup-winning squad. While the rise of the likes of Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh and Nitish Reddy bodes well for the team’s batting strength, there is no dearth of bowling talent for India in the shortest format.
With the trio of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja calling it quits in T20Is, India have already begun the process of forming their core for the next T20 World Cup which is set to be played in 2026. The stunning depth and a strong bench strength is a headache for the selectors but it will pay greater dividends for the team in the future.
India flexed their incredible bench strength and showcased a glimpse of how their future T20I squad can shape up in the thumping 7-wicket win against Bangladesh in the 1st T20I in Gwalior on Sunday. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
