In the final T20I against Bangladesh in Hyderabad, India is set to chase a series sweep while evaluating the performance of promising second-line players. Having already clinched the series 2-0 with victories in Gwalior and New Delhi, the team under Gautam Gambhir is hungry for another win. A clean sweep would nicely complement their 2-0 margin in the preceding Test series.
Beyond the series victory, the Indian squad is focused on finalizing their white-ball lineup in preparation for major tournaments like the Champions Trophy. With numerous important fixtures ahead, the team is keen on identifying backup options for their frontline players.
Gambhir’s management is particularly interested in assessing the readiness of bowlers like Mayank Yadav, who returned from injury, and spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who recently took three wickets in his first match in three years. The progress of Nitish Kumar Reddy, who impressed in the Delhi T20 with a quickfire 74 and a couple of wickets, will also be closely monitored.
However, the performances of openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma have raised concerns. Despite the advantage of batting at the top in T20s, Samson has recorded modest scores of 29 and 10, while Sharma has managed just 15 and 16. Their struggles have put pressure on the middle order, which previously had to recover from a shaky start.
The team management may consider giving opportunities to other players, including leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi and all-rounder Harshit Rana, if the openers continue to falter.
On the other hand, Bangladesh is aiming to secure their first win of the tour, requiring consistent performances from senior players like captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das, and Mustafizur Rahman, all of whom have underperformed thus far.
India’s Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav, Tilak Varma.
Bangladesh’s Squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), 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.
