India is poised to clinch the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh in New Delhi on Wednesday. Despite resting key players like Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, and Jasprit Bumrah, India’s remarkable depth in white-ball cricket shone through in a comfortable seven-wicket victory in the opening game in Gwalior.
One player who made a strong statement of intent in the opening game was Sanju Samson. Confirmed as the opener for the series by skipper Suryakumar Yadav, Samson has been in and out of the national team since his debut in 2015, with inconsistency hindering his progress. In the series opener, the keeper-batter, typically a middle-order batsman, thrived in his new role, playing delightful strokes in his 19-ball 29. He showcased his ability to play freely in the PowerPlay, demonstrating his potential to be a valuable asset at the top of the order.
However, like his opening partner Abhishek Sharma, who showcased brute power before running himself out, Samson couldn’t convert his promising start. With first-choice openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill rested for this series, both Samson and Sharma have a golden opportunity to prove their worth beyond fleeting cameos. They will be aiming to seize this opportunity and secure a substantial score in front of what is likely to be a packed crowd on Wednesday night.
The stakes are particularly high for Samson, who is aiming to solidify his position as wicketkeeper in Pant’s absence. With the T20 World Cup still two years away, a series of consistent performances as both opener and wicketkeeper could solidify his place in the future of India’s white-ball cricket.
India is unlikely to make any changes to its playing XI following their dominant performance in the opener. Debutant Mayank Yadav impressed with his fiery pace, while fellow first-timer Nitish Kumar Reddy made a mark as a seam-bowling all-rounder, a rare commodity in Indian cricket. Arshdeep Singh capably led the pace attack, and mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy made a striking comeback after a three-year absence from the national team. Both Chakaravarthy and Washington Sundar will be vying for the spin all-rounder’s spot left vacant by Ravindra Jadeja.
On the other hand, Bangladesh needs to regroup quickly if they want to turn the series around and stay alive in the competition. The team, which largely featured the same players who participated in the World Cup earlier this year, has the advantage of experience but has struggled to crack the T20 format. “I wouldn’t say we played badly. We are a better team than this. We haven’t done well in this format for a long time, but I don’t believe we are such a bad team,” admitted captain Najmul Hossain Shanto after the Gwalior defeat.
Bangladesh’s batting remains a weak link, and it wasn’t a surprise to see them struggle against India’s disciplined bowling attack. Senior players like Litton Das and Mahmudullah need to step up and deliver. Although their bowlers have the potential to make things interesting, they will need a substantial score on the board to challenge India’s formidable lineup.
With India looking to seal the series and Bangladesh needing a turnaround, the second T20I in New Delhi promises to be a thrilling encounter.
