BAN vs IND: The Red Ball series is approaching its very end, as India has largely dominated in the longest format of the game. However, the visitors might look to capitalise on the shortest format, as they would look to go back with their heads held high after achieving something in the Indian sub-continent.
The t20i series begins after the end of the Test series marked by the last day of the Kanpur Test to be played today, as India is looking forward to a commanding win and a series sweep. The T20i squad for the Indian team had already been announced as it marked the return of Suryakumar Yadav and co, back on the field.
However, with the absence of many frontline players in the format, like Jaiswal, Gill, Pant and Bumrah, many new talents have taken this as an opportunity to Scrooge into the squad. Abhishek Sharma the dynamic opener returns as Nitish Kumar Reddy and Mayank Yadav look to make their debuts ahead of the upcoming IPL season.
Also, the likes of old hats, Sanju Samson and Varun Chakravarthy have made their return to India’s team for the shortest format of the game. This a perfect portrayal of the Gambhir-Morkel era, which has now begun for India as they look to reinforce the team eyeing the next T20 World Cup.
Countering them Bangladesh has also made many subtle yet required changes to their squad for the shortest format of the team. The most witnessed among them was the announcement of retirement by veteran all-rounder and Bangladeshi legend, Shakib Al-Hasan, as he announced his retirement from the Test and T20I formats.
Bangladesh’s emerging talent and currently their most valuable player in the longer red ball and white ball formats, Mehidy Hasan Miraz has been called in to replace the veteran primarily as a middle-order batter and an off-spinner as well.
“The great Shakib Al Hasan has already announced that he has played his last T20I for Bangladesh,” Ashraf said. “We don’t have anyone to replace his experience and performance but we feel that Mehidy Hasan Miraz is a good batter who can handle the middle order. Mehidy can play as a batter. We didn’t pick him in the previous [T20] World Cup as we usually feel that he has a strong role as an allrounder in Tests and ODIs.” Ashraf was quoted saying on selection of Mehidy over Shakib for the upcoming t20 series against India.
ALSO READ: IND vs BAN: India announces squad for Bangladesh T20Is as Gambhir startles all with his latest picks
Bangladesh squad for India T20s: Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Litton Das, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rakibul Hasan.
