Mayank Yadav and Murali Karthik (Photo Source : X/Twitter)
The gusto of the limited overs cricket is back as the Indian team takes on Bangladesh in the first T20I of the series at Gwalior, on Sunday, October 6. In the build-up to the new-look hosts trying out new players in the shortest format, Team India handed T20I debut caps to the express pacer Mayank Yadav and the all rounder, Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Notably, the Men in Blue are playing a three-match T20I series, where they have fielded two new future stars with the Indian cap numbers 116 and 117, respectively. Not long ago, the national side had given a chance to some players who did well in the Indian Premier League (IPL). It was during the tour of Zimbabwe, that players like Riyan Parag, Abhishek Sharma, Dhruv Jurel, Sai Sudharsan and Tushar Deshpande began their international cricket journey in the renowned Blue jersey.
Speaking of the debutants, Reddy who is known for his all round abilities, is a seam bowler along with being an adept batter, who hails from Andhra Pradesh. Interestingly, this was not the first time he was part of the Indian squad. In the past as well he got call-ups but unfortunately, injuries constantly plaguing him, kept him at bay from making his debut for India. Until now, Nitish Kumar Reddy has played 20 T20 matches in which he scored 395 runs with a decent strike rate of 128.
On the other hand, the express pacer, Mayank Yadav, who played for the popular IPL franchise, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), in the 2024 edition, took the cricket world by storm with his sensational fiery pace to terrify the batters. Just like Nitish, the youngster too sustained injuries, which eventually ruled him out of the IPL. Since then he was been in the recovery phase and has finally got the golden opportunity of playing for India in the T20I format.
During his IPL stint, the pacer bagged 19 wickets with a decent economy of 6.60. He has featured in 14 T20s so far. Besides, another bowler who has remained away from the Indian side is Varun Chakravarthy, who is making a comeback after three years.
Also Check- WATCH: ‘Brutal power!’ – Suryakumar Yadav reacts to Abhishek, Rinku, Washington’s sixes in nets
Now speaking of the match proceedings, India skipper Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and elected to take the field first against Bangladesh. Notably, the first T20I is being played at the Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium. The venue is hosting its first international game thereby making a special debut as well. Meanwhile, the India debut moment of Mayank Yadav and Nitish Kumar Reddy triggered fans to share their reactions in the social media domain.
Here’s how the fans reacted to Mayank and Nitish receiving their India debut:
It has been almost a decade since this rarity 👀#MayankYadav #INDvsBAN #T20I #Cricket #IndiaCricketTeam #nitishkumarreddy pic.twitter.com/lXXTZeDmMY
— Cricadium CRICKET (@Cricadium) October 6, 2024
लिख कर रख लो, आज ये जोड़ी तबाही मचाने जा रही है, आज बांग्लादेशियो की खैर नहीं….#INDvsBAN #SuryakumarYadav #MayankYadav pic.twitter.com/FwMcIZ0Dv5
— Dr. Arunesh Kumar Yadav (डॉ अरुणेश यादव) (@YadavArunesh) October 6, 2024
Mayank Yadav and Nitish reddy international debut against Bangladesh . pic.twitter.com/cXv1vJN0ws
— Malik Hammad (@Hammad_Iqbal786) October 6, 2024
India has won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Two debutant players are:
➡️ Mayank Yadav
➡️ Nitish Reddy #INDvBAN
— Rohit X (@LoveLaughter143) October 6, 2024
congratulations for t20i international debut for 🇮🇳🏏🏆#MayankYadav #nitishkumarreddy
ipl talent 🔥🙌 pic.twitter.com/r9pCx0RfT5
— PATEL PARTHIV 🇮🇳 (@imparthiv_) October 6, 2024
India Squad for Bangladesh (1st T20):
Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson(w), Suryakumar Yadav(c), Nitish Reddy, Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav#INDvBAN #BCCI #Cricket
— Surendra Marndi (@Surendra_Odisha) October 6, 2024
INDIA🇮🇳 WIN THE TOSS AND OPT TO BOWL🏏
FIRST! Time for Mayank Yadav to feature in the 1st innings!
Excited?#INDVSBAN #SuryakumarYadav #T20WorldCup2024 #INDvsPAK
— SHACHINDRA KUMAR (@SHACHINDRA100) October 6, 2024
all the best #MayankYadav
— पथिक (@upscpsir) October 6, 2024