Suryakumar Yadav to Captain India Against Bangladesh in T20 Series

Suryakumar Yadav has been appointed as the captain of the Indian cricket team for the upcoming three-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series against Bangladesh. The series, which serves as a precursor to the Test matches against New Zealand, marks the comeback of Mayank Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy to the national squad.

The selection of fast bowler Mayank Yadav, known for his impressive speeds exceeding 150 kmph, has generated significant interest. His performance in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) for Lucknow Super Giants earned him two Player-of-the-Match titles. However, his campaign was cut short due to an abdominal injury, sidelining him for the remainder of the tournament.

Mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, who last played a T20I in 2021, returns to the squad after an outstanding IPL performance where he was the leading wicket-taker for Kolkata Knight Riders with 21 wickets in 14 innings.

The selected squad of 15 players includes several young talents, reflecting a strategic move towards building a fresh lineup whilst managing player workloads. Prominent absences include Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rishabh Pant, all of whom are part of the Test squad. Notably, there is no vice-captain, with Suryakumar Yadav leading the team.

The squad is bolstered by regulars such as Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Washington Sundar, alongside seamers Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Mayank Yadav. Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson have been included as key opening partners, with Samson also taking on wicketkeeping duties alongside Jitesh Sharma.

The T20I series against Bangladesh is scheduled to begin in Gwalior on October 6, followed by matches in Delhi on October 9 and Hyderabad on October 12.