India vs Bangladesh: Early fireworks?

Sanju Samson has had a stop start international career. The 29-year-old, who made his T20I debut way back in the series against Zimbabwe in 2015, cannot be termed as a fringe player. After all, he has played 31 T20Is and 16 ODIs. However, the Kerala batsmen, who has been picked as an opener in the Bangladesh series by skipper Suryakumar Yadav, has not been able to show consistent performances to hold his place in the playing XI.

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In the five matches played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in IPL 2024, the 200-mark was breached in 8 out of 10 innings

We (Punjab Kings) did not play here this IPL, but after seeing the scores, I did not feel like checking the wicket (laughs). But yeah, we will come tomorrow and see what could be a good plan here. And of course, the captain and the coach will check the wicket and share their plan. — Arshdeep Singh

I don’t think we played that badly in the first game. We shouldn’t doubt ourselves based on one game. We have to come out of that zone and try to win the game. We tried to play aggressively with the bat. We have to be more organised. Mahmudullah

Even in Gwalior, where India thumped Bangladesh inside 12 overs while chasing 127, Sanju started well with a 19-ball 29 but failed to convert the start. On Wednesday, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, which is the venue for the second Twenty20 between the sides, the wicketkeeper-batsman gets another opportunity to show Team India coach Gautam Gambhir that he deserves to be in the conversation for future matches.

Especially, with regular openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill rested for the series, it is important for Sanju and Abhishek Verma to show they can do better than a few quick-fire cameos.

India are unlikely to change their playing XI, especially in the bowling ranks. Debutant Mayank Yadav and Arshdeep Singh made short work of Bangladesh’s batting line-up with pace and accuracy while mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy made a strong comeback to the national side.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, have to find their scoring touch soon as a defeat on Wednesday would mean another series loss to India, who have rested the core of the team, including Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah, for the series.

Bangladesh despite being the more experienced side are yet to figure out the way to bat in the shortest format of the game. “Our bowlers are doing a wonderful job,” Bangladesh batter Mahmudullah said.

“I don’t think we played that badly in the first game. We shouldn’t doubt ourselves based on one game. We have to come out of that zone and try to win the game. We tried to play aggressively with the bat. We have to be more organised, which will serve us better.”

Mahmudullah has announced his retirement from T20Is and the third match of the ongoing series will be his last game in the format. The 38-year-old, who made his debut in 2007, has played 50 Tests, 232 ODIs and 139 T20Is.

Two years just flew by, enjoying highs and lows: Arshdeep

new delhi: New Delhi: T20 World Cup winner Arshdeep Singh doesn’t like fretting over the future or dwelling on the past. The left-arm pacer prefers to embrace the present. The 25-year-old, who is leading the Indian pace attack in the ongoing three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, made his debut just two years ago but has already played 55 T20Is, including two World Cups. “I am enjoying my game and didn’t even realise how these two years flew by. I just try and stay in the present, enjoy the highs and lows, that is my focus,” Arshdeep said. “My life’s mantra is to enjoy the present. The T20 World Cup is two years away. I don’t think much about the future,” he added.

The Punjab pacer, who honed his red-ball skills in county cricket last season and put up a stellar display in the Duleep Trophy recently, has been making a case for a maiden Test cap too. “I want to do my best in all the formats wherever I get the opportunity,” he said.

Asked what difference he has felt in his white-ball skills since becoming an all-format player, Arshdeep said, “It gives an opportunity to the players to explore their skills. How he can take wickets in different ways, how to absorb pressure. Playing in different formats teaches players a lot. In red ball, you get more overs to bowl, it teaches patience. In T20s, you don’t need patience, you have to think about what a batter can do.”