India vs Bangladesh: How the India squad shapes up for T20I series

As India wraps up the Test series against Bangladesh in Kanpur, the BCCI has announced a 15-member squad for the India vs Bangladesh T20I series. The T20I series will be India’s second assignment in the shortest format after clinching the 2024 T20 World Cup in June. The historic victory led to a significant transformation in the India squad as Rohit Sharma, along with Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, announced their retirement from the format. Suryakumar Yadav succeeded Sharma in the leading position of the Indian team.

The Ishan Kishan snub for India vs Bangladesh T20I series

In a shocking development, the BCCI overlooked Ishan Kishan and called up Jitesh Sharma to the India squad. Ishan Kishan made an unceremonious exit from the India setup early in 2024 when he opted out of the India vs South Africa series. The wicket-keeper batter cited "mental pressure" as his reason to take a break. However, Kishan subsequently failed to play in domestic fixtures despite multiple reminders from the board. Consequently, the BCCI revoked the central contracts of Kishan and Shreyas Iyer.

However, keeping the debacle in the past, the 26-year-old made a positive return to domestic cricket through the Buchi Babu Tournament. Ishan Kishan marked his return to red-ball cricket with a century in the tournament, where he was leading the Jharkhand Cricket Association. Despite enduring an injury during the series, Kishan subsequently featured in the second round of the Duleep Trophy. Similar to his Buchi Babu performance, Kishan smashed a century in his first match of the red-ball tournament.

The India vs Bangladesh Test series marked the onset of an action-packed Test season for India. Following the Bangladesh series, India is set to host New Zealand for a three-match Test series before the Border-Gavaskar tour to Australia. With a vital Test schedule lined up ahead, the board has given rest to mainstays like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rishabh Pant.

In the absence of the primary wicket-keeper, Ishan Kishan was expected to join the India squad as the second wicket-keeping option behind Sanju Samson. However, in a surprising move, the BCCI opted for Jitesh Sharma for the position. Another prominent prospect, Dhruv Jurel, missed selection due to his commitment to the red-ball format. The young wicket-keeper will feature in the Irani Cup before India kicks off the home series against New Zealand.

Apart from Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad also failed to secure a spot in the India squad for the Bangladesh T20I series. In the absence of Gill, Gaikwad could have acquired the opening position along with Abhishek Sharma. However, reportedly, the board is keeping Gaikwad as India’s backup opening option for the Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Thus, Gaikwad will display his red-ball prowess in the Irani Cup, missing the India vs Bangladesh T20I series.

Breakdown of India squad for the IND vs BAN T20Is

The batting picks in the India squad include Abhishek Sharma, who made a roaring debut in the India vs Zimbabwe series earlier this year. Sharma is likely to be assisted by Sanju Samson in the opening position. Hardik Pandya, along with Suryakumar Yadav, is one of the very few seniors in the India squad for the T20Is. The pace all-rounder will likely be promoted up the order for the three-match series. Next up, the lineup includes skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube, who has emerged as a consistent middle-order pick in the shortest formats.

Rinku Singh has claimed the finishing position, with Riyan Parag tailing him in the squad. Interestingly, India has called up Nitish Kumar Reddy for the series. The all-rounder emerged as one of the most impressive young prospects from IPL 2024, where he played for Sunrisers Hyderabad. However, the chance for Reddy to earn a spot in the playing XI appears slim currently.

For the bowling lineup, the board has made some interesting choices. Mayank Yadav, the pace sensation from IPL 2024, has been called up for the India vs Bangladesh series. The young pacer clocked 156.7 kph in the last edition, recording the fastest delivery in the league’s history. Moreover, Harshit Rana has also made it into the India squad. The youngster from KKR was part of the squad for the Sri Lanka Tour of India. However, Rana is yet to earn the Indian cap. With Bumrah, Shami, and Siraj absent, Rana will form the pace attack of the Indian team along with Arshdeep Singh.

The spin department features Ravi Bishnoi along with Washington Sundar. Interestingly, Yuzvendra Chahal has once again been ignored, as the BCCI has presented a second chance to Varun Chakravarthy in the Indian team. Moreover, Abhishek Sharma and Riyan Parag will act as additional spin options for the team in the series.

India squad for the India vs Bangladesh T20I series

Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakravarthy, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav.