Less than three months ago, Abhishek Sharma was reveling at the height of his nascent cricket career. In only his second international appearance, he delivered a spectacular performance by scoring a lightning-fast 46-ball century, declaring with confidence, “Today’s my day.” His remarkable feat was achieved while opening the batting with Shubman Gill, a friend, and Punjab teammate since their U-12 days, who was also captaining the team. Notably, it was Gill’s bat that Abhishek wielded to reach this milestone.
Cricket, however, is a sport known for its unpredictable twists of fate. Just two days following his remarkable performance, Abhishek faced a new challenge as he was moved down the batting order to make room for Yashasvi Jaiswal, the established opener. This brief stint at the top was over, and subsequently, he did not feature in the Indian squad for their tour of Sri Lanka later that month.
Now, Abhishek Sharma finds himself once again in the spotlight, with a renewed opportunity that feels momentous. This sentiment resonates with many others in this 15-man squad, who have, at times, found themselves sidelined by more senior players. This series serves as a platform for them to demonstrate their potential. Varun Chakaravarthy, who has yet to play an international match on home soil, enters with a desire to validate his capabilities. Similarly, Sanju Samson, who has consistently vied for a position in the middle order, now finds himself with a fresh opportunity at the top. Riyan Parag, after much anticipation, finally earns his place, while Ravi Bishnoi aims to solidify his position as the lead legspinner, stepping out of the long shadows cast by Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav.
For critics questioning the significance of this three-match T20I series amid India’s Test season, they may be overlooking its value. Indian cricket possesses depth and talent, and opportunities like these to stake a claim are few and far between. As Abhishek Sharma himself can attest, these moments can define careers.
“It’s a great opportunity for youngsters. Whenever they have played for their states, they have done well. There’s nothing different to do here,” India captain Suryakumar Yadav emphasized on the eve of the first T20I match.
At first glance, this series might appear mundane, given India’s near-perfect record against Bangladesh, having lost only once in 14 encounters. Nevertheless, this young Indian side faces a real test. Despite their limited experience compared to an opposition boasting 250 international caps, these emerging players aim to answer critical questions about their potential. Such opportunities are rare in Indian cricket.
Bangladesh captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto acknowledged the apparent gap in experience, saying, “We are not thinking in that way. There is an opportunity to beat them. It’s not like we have never beaten a big team before. Honestly, there are no big or small teams in T20s.
. The team performing well on the day wins and is considered the bigger team.”
The contest unfolds at a brand new venue in Gwalior, unfamiliar territory for India. Whether Bangladesh can seize this advantage in front of a passionate crowd of 33,000 remains uncertain.
As the teams prepare for the first T20I on October 6, 2024, at the Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium in Gwalior, curiosity surrounds the pitch’s behavior. The ground features red and black soil pitches, and this particular match will take place on a black-soil surface. The boundaries spread approximately 72 yards from the center, and while pitches in Madhya Pradesh have historically favored batters, its behavior remains unpredictable. The pitch bears a few barren patches and has been under hessian covers to prevent it from drying out too much. Bangladesh’s Towhid Hridoy commented that it might be a “low and slow” surface.
With rain in the past week and concerns about the outfield’s drainage system, both teams approach the match with anticipation. The only prior cricket played at this venue was the Madhya Pradesh T20 League in June, where the highest recorded total was 278/4. Chasing teams had mixed success, winning seven out of 12 games, with one ending in a tie.
India’s squad sees Mayank Yadav set for his debut after a subdued domestic season, spending time at the NCA. This opportunity could mean Harshit Rana must wait for his chance to earn an India cap. Confirmed lineup adjustments include Sanju Samson opening alongside Abhishek Sharma. Shivam Dube has been ruled out of the series due to a back injury, paving the way for a debut for Nitish Reddy.
Hardik Pandya’s recent bowling resurgence is a bright spot for the Indian team. Since May 2024, his performance has seen significant improvement in average, economy rate, and strike-rate metrics, claiming 18 wickets in 14 matches. He’s expected to serve as a third pacer, utilizing his cutters effectively on the unfamiliar pitch.
For Bangladesh, the focus is on adapting to life post-Shakib Al Hasan, with Mahmudullah playing a vital role in the middle order. The choice remains between Shoriful Islam and Taskin Ahmed to lead their fast-bowling attack.
Key stats for this match reveal India’s impressive form, having won 18 of the last 19 T20Is and riding a seven-match winning streak. Conversely, Bangladesh holds a balanced 9-9 win-loss record in 2024, with seven victories against Zimbabwe, Netherlands, Nepal, and USA. Tanzid Hasan’s recent struggles with three ducks in his last four T20I innings also add intrigue.
As Suryakumar Yadav steps into this pivotal role, he draws from his experiences playing under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy at MI. Meanwhile, Towhid Hridoy acknowledges the uncertainty of playing at a new venue, noting the differences between domestic and international cricket.
As both teams prepare to face off at this novel venue, the match presents an opportunity for emerging talents to leave a lasting mark on cricket’s competitive stage.