India announce young squad for Bangladesh T20I series: Key takeaways
BCCI has announced a young Indian squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, starting on October 6. Fast bowler Mayank Yadav, who made a significant impact in IPL 2024, has been selected for his first India assignment. Yadav consistently bowled at speeds over 150 kph in IPL 2024 and bagged two Player-of-the-Match awards in four matches. Here are the key takeaways from India's squad.
Yadav's IPL journey and injury setbacks
Yadav's IPL stint got derailed because of a side injury, which forced him to bowl just a solitary over in his third game for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Despite the injury setback, he had already made an impression by taking seven wickets from four matches at an average of 12.14 and an economy rate of 6.98, as per ESPNcricinfo. Harshit Rana, another uncapped player, and Arshdeep Singh are the other specialist fast bowlers in the team.
Varun Chakravarthy returns to India's T20I squad
Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who last wore the India jersey in a T20I back in 2021, is making a comeback. His return comes on the back of a stellar performance in IPL 2024, where he topped the wicket-taking charts for the champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) with 21 scalps at 19.14. In IPL 2023, he took 20 wickets at 21.45. Chakravarthy, however, managed just wickets in six T20I outings for India.
Nitish Reddy selected in the Indian team
Fast-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy is in line to make his international debut. The youngster was also selected for the Zimbabwe tour earlier this year but had to withdraw due to fitness issues. He is now selected again, having proved his fitness in the Duleep Trophy. Many eyes will be on him as fast-bowling all-rounders are rare commodities in Indian cricket. Playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024, he scored 303 runs at a strike rate of 142.92.
Kishan, Gaikwad left out
Ishan Kishan, who recently returned to domestic cricket, continues to be out of the team as the selectors have persisted with Sanju Samson for the wicket-keeper's spot. The latter bagged back-to-back ducks in the SL T20I series. Meanwhile, Ruturaj Gaikwad, who averages over 66 in T20Is this year, has been surprisingly left out. Abhishek, who hit a century in the Zimbabwe T20I series but missed out on the SL tour, has been preferred over Gaikwad.
Test regulars given a break
Team India has opted to give the Test regulars a breather with a busy season ahead. In October, India will host New Zealand for three Tests before flying to Australia for five more. Owing to the same, the likes of Reddy, Abhishek, Jitesh Sharma, and Harshit have rejoined the team after missing out on the SL tour. The squad will be led by full-time T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, and there won't be a designated vice-captain this time.
Regulars and new faces in India's T20I squad
The squad also includes some familiar faces like Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, and Arshdeep Singh. The fast bowling lineup will be led by Arshdeep, Rana, and Yadav, with allrounders Hardik, Dube, and Reddy lending a hand. On the spin front, Bishnoi, Varun, and Washington will take charge, with Abhishek Sharma and Riyan Parag as part-time options.
India's T20I squad for Bangladesh series
India's T20I squad for Bangladesh series: Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav.
