2 mistakes and 1 masterstroke by India in the 1st T20I vs Bangladesh ft. Mayank Yadav's usage
Team India coasted to a comfortable seven-wicket win in the first T20I against Bangladesh in Gwalior on Sunday, October 6. Arshdeep Singh was adjudged the Player of the Match for his three-fer that broke the back of the visitors' batting in the first innings.
On the whole, it was an encouraging performance from the Men in Blue. Most of their players chipped in, with the bowling unit in particular turning in an excellent display. Suryakumar Yadav enjoyed another win to sweeten the start of captaincy career. However, it wasn't an entirely perfect display.
On that note, here are two mistakes and one masterstroke made by India in the first T20I against Bangladesh.
#3 Mistake - India employed a slightly puzzling batting order
Without much of a total to chase, India could have afforded to give their youngsters a little more time out in the middle. Although Nitish Kumar Reddy came in at No. 6 and got to face a few balls, the Men in Blue could have tried out Riyan Parag as well instead of sending out Hardik Pandya at No. 5.
Strangely, Parag has been profiled as a finisher for this series, despite having excelled in a No. 4 role during the 2024 Indian Premier League. An excellent player of both pace and spin, he has what it takes to succeed in the top four and need not be pushed down, where he has achieved little success in the IPL so far.
Hardik scored a team-high 39 runs that could have been used to make the team better and give others opportunities elsewhere.
#2 Masterstroke - Mayank Yadav was used perfectly by Suryakumar Yadav
India needed to ensure that Mayank Yadav, who was making his international debut, was put in a position to succeed. Captain Suryakumar Yadav did just that throughout the first innings in Gwalior.
Mayank was handed the sixth over of the match, the last of the powerplay. He made an immediate impact, as he sent down a maiden to Towhid Hridoy, asking serious questions of the Bangladesh batter with his pace and a bit of swing.
The express quick then continued his spell in the middle overs to bowl some fiery bouncers and ones that nipped around. Mayank was brought back later to complete his spell and finished with excellent figures of 1/21.
We have previously seen India fail to utilize Umran Malik to the best of his ability, leading to him falling out of favor with the selectors. Under the new leadership, including Suryakumar and Gautam Gambhir, Mayank seems set to be treated better.
#1 Mistake - India should've given Nitish Kumar Reddy the new ball
However, another debutant, Nitish Kumar Reddy, wasn't used in the best way possible by India. Hardik Pandya took the new ball alongside Arshdeep Singh, sending down two overs in the powerplay.
That role should have gone to Nitish, who possesses an excellent inswinger to the right-hander and the ability to get the new ball to talk. Instead, the fast-bowling all-rounder sent down two overs later in the piece that went for 17 runs and didn't yield a wicket.
India need to bring out the best of Nitish the bowler, and the easiest way to do that is by giving him the new ball.