India will square off Bangladesh in the first T20I at the New Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium, Gwalior on Sunday. Bangladesh all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz admitted that it looked like T20 cricket when India smashed 285-9 in only 34.4 overs in the first innings of the second Test at Green Park, Kanpur.
Come the first T20I, it will be interesting to note India’s approach. We look at the current form, head-to-head, players to look out for, and squads of both teams in our match preview.
Current form for India: W W W W W
After winning the T20 World Cup, India has won seven out of their last eight matches. Suryakumar Yadav has been given the T20I captaincy baton and he will look to keep up the good show along with new head coach Gautam Gambhir.
Current form of Bangladesh: L L L W W
Bangladesh will be in action in T20Is for the first time after the conclusion of the World Cup. The Tigers will not have the services of veteran batters Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan but they will welcome Mahmudullah and Mustafizur Rahman in their team.
Head to Head: Matches: 14, Won by India: 13, Won by Bangladesh: 1.
Players to watch out for: Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, and Mayank Yadav will hold the key for the hosts.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mustafizur Rahman, Mahmudullah, Towhid Hridoy, Litton Das, and Taskin Ahmed will be the crucial players for Bangladesh.
India Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (C), 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.
Bangladesh squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Parvez Hossain Emon, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmud Ullah, Litton Kumer Das, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rakibul Hasan.