GWALIOR: India’s Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakravarthy made a significant impact on the Bangladesh batting lineup, guiding the hosts to a commanding seven-wicket victory in the first T20 International on Sunday.
The left-arm pacer Arshdeep and spinner Chakravarthy each claimed three wickets, helping to bowl out Bangladesh for just 127 runs. India chased down the target with 49 balls to spare, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. This win marked India’s first home victory in T20s since their T20 World Cup triumph in Barbados in June.
Openers Sanju Samson and skipper Suryakumar Yadav contributed significantly to the chase, both scoring 29 runs and forming a swift 40-run partnership for the second wicket. Their aggressive approach deflated the Bangladesh bowling attack at the new venue, which was hosting its inaugural international match.
“We just backed our skills and followed through on what we discussed in the team meeting,” said Suryakumar. “The way the guys showed their character, especially playing in a new ground, reflected our strength.”
Samson, a wicketkeeper-batsman, struck six boundaries, while Yadav electrified the crowd with a rapid 14-ball innings that included two fours and three sixes. Suryakumar hit Mustafizur Rahman for a towering six over long-on but was caught at long leg on the very next ball.
Hardik Pandya also played a key role, scoring 39 runs off just 16 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes. He formed an unbeaten partnership of 52 runs with debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy, who contributed 16 runs.
On the bowling front, Arshdeep made an immediate impact after India chose to field first, claiming two wickets within the first three overs. He dismissed Litton Das, who top-edged an angling delivery to short cover, and later bowled Parvez Hossain Emon, who inside-edged the ball onto his stumps.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto acknowledged the team’s slow start: “In T20s, the first six overs are very important, but we didn’t begin well. We need a better plan for the next matches.”
Debutant pacer Mayank Yadav, an IPL sensation known for his speeds exceeding 150 km/h (93 mph), started with a maiden over and then took the wicket of Mahmudullah Riyad for just one run in his second over.
As wickets continued to tumble, Chakravarthy returned to the squad after the 2021 T20 World Cup and consistently disrupted the Bangladeshi middle order with his mystery spin. Mehidy Hasan Miraz showed some resilience with an unbeaten 35, but the lack of support from other batsmen was evident. Arshdeep, named player of the match, wrapped up the innings in 19.5 overs.
