India beat Bangladesh by seven wickets in the first T20I of the three-match series. The first game took place at the Madhavrao Scindia International Cricket Stadium in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh on Sunday, October 6. The hosts were all over their opponents from the very first ball. The Men in Blue did not let up on the advantage they had taken over Bangladesh in the Test series, which they won 2-0. Suryakumar Yadav’s team was the better side with both bat and ball in hand, achieving a well-deserved victory.
Bangladesh batted first and were bowled out for a measly 127 in just 19.5 overs, with all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz top-scoring for them with a late 35 off just 32 deliveries. Apart from skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto, none of the top order batters could contribute much, and this did hurt Bangladesh. Left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh returned with figures of 3-14 while the returning Varun Chakravarthy picked up 3-31 in his quota of four overs. India read the slow conditions in Gwalior well and made the most of it.
India fought back with Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma piling the misery on the Bangladeshi bowlers. After the latter got out, captain Suryakumar Yadav came in to blast 29 off just 14 deliveries and give the Indian team a shot of momentum. It was left to all-rounders Nitish Kumar Reddy and Hardik Pandya to seal the deal, with the latter scoring a quickfire 39 off 16 balls. India won with seven wickets in hand in just 11.5 overs, which goes to showcase the dominance they displayed over their opponents. The victory gives India a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
India vs Bangladesh 2nd T20I – 09.10.2024 Prediction
India take on Bangladesh in the second T20I of the three-match bilateral series. The game will take place at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium (Arun Jaitley Stadium) in New Delhi on Wednesday, October 9. After the heavy drubbing that the hosts handed out to Bangladesh in the first match, it will be up to the latter to rise to the occasion and challenge them to bring some parity back. Bangladesh have enough players in their side who can take the attack to the Indians. Yet, unfortunately, they have just not stepped up at the right time.
Players like Litton Das, Towhid Hridoy, and Najmul Hossain Shanto, have been the best in their jobs for a very long period of time; one expects them to come good in this series. After they lost the Test series 0-2 to India earlier this year, Bangladesh may have lost confidence in themselves. This is quite surprising given that they had just beaten Pakistan twice in an away series. Yet, the latter’s firepower has been just too much for the Bangladeshi players to handle in this series.
India’s batters have been at the forefront of their stupendous showing so far. One can expect the same in this game as well. Led by the mercurial Suryakumar Yadav, India will hope that they can win this game in Delhi before the series moves to Hyderabad for its final encounter. Youngsters Riyan Parag and Nitish Kumar Reddy will be itching to showcase their potential in this match, and the Bangladeshi bowlers, led by Mustafizur Rahman, must be on their guard. Rahman, who has played in quite a few franchises in the IPL, knows these conditions rather well.
Predicted Squads
IND: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Suryakumar Yadav (c), Nitish Reddy, Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav.
BAN: Litton Das (wk), Parvez Hossain Emon, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam.
Key Players
Arshdeep Singh (IND): Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh is one of the players to watch out for in the Indian side. Singh picked up three wickets in the first match of the series, and a lot will be expected of him in this match as well. His variations with the old ball, as well as his ability to get the new one to swing both ways makes him a big threat. He can also bowl searing toe-crushing yorkers in the death, and this is why Punjab Kings have stuck with him in the IPL and not given him up so far.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz (BAN): All-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz had a terrific run in the Tests preceding the T20I series, and was brought back into the side for the retiring Shakib Al Hasan. He contributes with both bat and ball in hand for Bangladesh, and is one of their most important players. Miraz knows these conditions well and is experienced enough to employ tricks that will allow him to emerge on top of his opponents on all occasions. The off-spin bowling all-rounder was out of the T20I side for quite some time and has made his comeback into the team in some style.
Match Prediction
There is no doubt at all that India are the downright favourites. They will be keen on ensuring they do not allow Bangladesh any footholds into this game. They will also do their best to remain ahead of their opponents on all occasions. The turning track at the Kotla may help Bangladesh to some extent given that Mehidy Hasan Miraz has been brought back into the side. However, India have a lot of top-quality spinners in their side.
Apart from Das and Rahman, none of the Bangladeshi players have experience of turning up in the IPL. As a result, they only have a scant knowledge of the pressure of playing under lights when the dew factor is on. This ensures that the game will go the way of India, who are experts in reading the conditions.
