India vs Bangladesh: Mayank, Varun and Arshdeep rock in Gwalior victory

Cricket is essentially a batter’s game, more so if you look at the T20 format. The scope for men wielding the willow to make life miserable for the bowlers does bring enormous excitement to the fans. But then, if you happen to be a lover of good quality bowling and tight contests, bowlers deserve more than a look. In Gwalior on Sunday night, where top-flight cricket was returning after a long hiatus, India versus Bangladesh in a T20 international was not a match. It was a mis-match, just like the two-test series held in Chennai and Kanpur, recently. This is a season of Test cricket, really, for India, as Rohit Sharma and his team hope to make the final of the ICC World Test Championship next year. Yet, how can the shorter formats be left behind, notably the T20.

This format drives modern-day cricket around the world. And to see the Indian bowlers on view was exciting. Much has happened after Indian won the ICC T20 World Cup in the West Indies this summer. Three legends, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja retired. There has been a shuffle in leadership roles as well. Suryakumar Yadav is now the man chosen to lead in T20 internationals and Hardik Pandya also plays under him.

What was more important to see in Gwalior was how a virtual second-string side was able to choke Bangladesh, which, by the day, looks even more prosaic. As a team which has played plenty of cricket over the last few years, Bangladesh have been underwhelming. Coming to India has been hard for them and results outrageous. There has been no intent. Yet, the positives were for India and in full bloom.

For those who drooled over Mayank Yadav when he played in the IPL 2024, the very sight of a fast bowler charging in and hurling the white ball at a speed in excess of 150kmph was mesmerising. That Mayank lasted only a few matches and went out was injured was sad. These days, the BCCI takes great care of its cricketers and the NCA in Bengaluru, now further spruced up, serves as an excellent rehab centre. Perhaps, barring Virat Kohli, the epitome of fitness, the rest of the cricketers have at spent time there in rehab. Mohd Shami, one of India’s most dangerous bowlers who moves the ball like a magician, is also now hoping to come back after the NCA stint.

All eyes were on Mayank and he did a good job. Fine, he did not have fast clicks showing 150kmph but near the 145kmph region and he was bowling well. There was focus and intent, and, most important, on debut he was not overawed. Mayank was rewarded with one wicket but from an Indian point of view the birth of a new fast bowler is good news. As Suryakuymar Yadav said later, Mayank needs to be preserved. One cannot expect everyone to be a Jasprit Bumrah, who can play all three formats and look after his body. So, first day, first show, Mayank does get a grading -- 7 out of 10.

How does one not talk of Varun Chakravarthy, a spinner returning to the international ring after almost three years?  To be away from Team India has been nightmarish but the return was sublime. As one who stole the show in IPL 2024, a gruelling format and tournament, Varun has waited in the wings. Under the watchful eyes of Gautam Gambhir, mentor at KKR, he did churn out good stuff. But the big deal was to come to international cricket and deliver. All those who watched Varun will agree he was not tense and bowled freely. His bowling was cunning and at the same time to trouble batters from the sub continent was proof he knows how to use the white ball in internationals as well to finish with three wickets. Notably, Varun was handled well by the skipper and that makes a lot of difference.

The narrative cannot be complete without a mention of Arshdeep Singh, the lanky Sardar who has become so important to India in the T20 format. Bang in Power Play, Arshdeep had done the damage and then went on to finish with a three-wicket haul. The more on watches Arshdeep, the more fans are convinced Arshdeep will serve India durably for a long time. How he bowls at death is well-known but to be at peak early on is impressive. He brings that zing in an Indian T20 side which looks so new.