India will play three T20Is against Bangladesh from tomorrow (October 6) and here is their predicted XI for the series opener in Gwalior.

Openers

After being left out of the Sri Lanka series despite scoring a record 46-ball hundred against Zimbabwe in his debut series, Abhishek Sharma has returned to India’s scheme of things and could be their answer to the changing template of batting in the format. This could be his breakthrough series.

With no other specialist openers, Sanju Samson is likely to partner him at the top. Having registered two ducks in both outings in Sri Lanka, he would be hoping to turn things around. He'll keep wicket ahead of Jitesh Sharma.

Middle Order

Suryakumar Yadav, who took the leadership baton after Rohit Sharma retired from the format, will walk in at his usual one-down position.

India have been keen on extending their batting order as long as possible. For that to happen, they have stacked the middle-order with all-rounders. With Ravindra Jadeja’s retirement, Riyan Parag is auditioning as his replacement and has performed well in his short career, especially with the ball.

Hardik Pandya being the first-choice fast bowling all-rounder is a no-brainer in the side, with Nitish Kumar Reddy potentially making his India debut after Shivam Dube was ruled out due to an injury. Rinku Singh will be the last specialist batter and the designated finisher.

Bowlers

Having impressed against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka with his accuracy and guile, Washington Sundar will automatically slot in the spin department.

In terms of the frontline tweaker, India may pull off a surprise by naming mystery bowler Varun Chakravarthy in the XI ahead of Ravi Bishnoi. Chakravarthi returned to the side for the first time in three years after a title-winning IPL season for Kolkata Knight Riders, where he finished as the second-highest wicket-taker (21). While Bishnoi has regularly played T20Is, new coach Gautam Gambhir might push for Chakravarthy's inclusion as their lead spinner.

Arshdeep Singh has been the leading wicket-taker (83) in the format among Full Members since he debuted in July 2022. Having complemented Jasprit Bumrah perfectly at the 2024 T20 World Cup, the left-arm pacer is expected to lead the pace attack in Bumrah's absence.

The spot for the other seamer will likely be filled by Harshit Rana, who was the pick of the KKR pacers this year. Rana’s lower-order batting capability also makes him a handy option, and might get a look-in ahead of the express pace of Mayank Yadav, joining the team for the first time.

Predicted XI

Abhishek Sharma

Sanju Samson (wk)

Suryakumar Yadav (c)

Riyan Parag

Hardik Pandya

Rinku Singh

Nitish Kumar Reddy

Washington Sundar

Harshit Rana

Arshdeep Singh

Varun Chakravarthy

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