India Dominates Bangladesh in 1st T20I: Arshdeep & Hardik Star as Hosts Secure Series Lead with 7-Wicket Win

During the opening match of the much-awaited T20I series between India and Bangladesh, the visitors finished the game in style through an overall performance registering a comprehensive 3-0 victory. This T20 match was played at Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium in Gwalior on 06 October 2024, after a thirteen long gap period of international cricket being played in the city. Suryakumar Yadav’s men went into the lead taking 1-0 in the three men T20I series and this left the visitors struggling to settle down.

Striving With The Bats

Toss was won by India & they decided to bat. Bangladesh’s innings never really took off. They were bowled out for 127 runs in 19.5 overs. The Bangladesh innings suffered alarmingly due to early breakthroughs by India-Pace battery, especially left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh. Arshdeep put the brakes on the Bangladeshi innings through 3-man over 14 runs. He sent the two top order Bangladeshi batsmen in just 13 balls with the visitors still getting started.Mayank Yadav, an explosive batsman in the IPL also enjoyed his T20i debut, making use of it to the fullest. It was in his second over that he took his maiden international wicket after bowling a maiden in his first over.

Helping Bangladesh who were already under pressure at 1/21, Mayank’s figures added to the pressure. However, the biggest weapon in the Indian bowling attack was Varun Chakravarthy who was back after a break of almost three years. His breathtaking 3-31 was instrumental in breaking Bangladesh’s middle order.

Bangladesh did not develop any partnerships owing to the late effort made by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who made a fighting 35 off only 32 balls. With all the wickets threadbare on four or five rough stones at several intervals, they were bowled out for a small score of 127.

Scores by India with their Batting Bonanza

With the target set at just 128 runs, Indian batsmen went on the offensive from the very beginning of the innings. Because regular openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill were unavailable, it was Sanju Samson’s and Abhishek Sharma’s opportunity and sanctioned the thrill of it. Sanju Samson equal to what is expected of him lazed his way through hitting boundaries while Abhishek Sharma hammered the ball about in a knock which rather lamentably ended in a run out.

Of particular interest in the score chasing innings was Suryakumar Yadav. One of those dashing batsmen, Suryakumar came out to play at Gwalior and scored as fast as possible, making 29 runs from 14 deliveries in his innings. Bangladesh’s bowlers were no match for ‘Suryakumar’s audacious flamboyance but his special ‘Supla Shots’ left the bowlers in a state of dilapidation. India had quickly reached a stage with 71/2 by the end of the PowerPlay without showing any signs of slowing down after Suryakumar’s departure in the sixth over.

Hardik Pandya’s Finishing Touch

India’s most lethal weapon, Hardik Pandya, came through in the middle to secure the match for India. Coming in to bat with the required run rate being well within Hardik’s reach, he scored an unbeaten 39 from 16 balls. The back-handed restaurant-style ramp for a four or hitting short balls over the mid-wicket was simply style and firepower at its peak. In mere 11.5 overs hitting almost four and a half runs a ball, India crossed the finish line with Hardik Pandya standing at the crease and a few valuable contributions from Nitish Kumar Reddy and 49 balls remaining.

Key Performances and Stats

• Arshdeep Singh: 3/14 in 3.5 overs
• Varun Chakravarthy: 3/31 in 4 overs
• Mayank Yadav: 1/21 in 4 overs
• Suryakumar Yadav: 29 off 14 balls
• Hardik Pandya: 39* off 16 balls

Having registered a big win in the 1st T20I of the series, India goes up in the series and with such overall toothiness, would now be looking to persist with such form in the proceeding matches too. Nevertheless, there is a need for Bangladesh to get their bearings back in order to win more games in this series.