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Team India have announced a strong squad for their upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh. With the ongoing second Test petering out to a rain-affected draw, the focus has already shifted to the shortest format.
The announcement of the Indian Premier League retention rules has added another layer of intrigue to the composition of the squad, which features three uncapped players and a couple of returning names.
India’s squad for the 3 T20Is against Bangladesh: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav
However, the high level of competition for places could mean that certain players don't get a chance to impress. With most of the regulars being rested, the Men in Blue have enough players to test out even without tapping into the entirety of the squad.
On that note, here are three Indian players who might not get a single game in the Bangladesh T20I series.
#3 Jitesh Sharma
Jitesh Sharma seemed to fall out of favor as India moved towards Dhruv Jurel and the returning Rishabh Pant, but he finds himself back in the squad. That might be because most of the regulars have been rested, with Jurel participating in the Irani Trophy.
However, Jitesh might not get a chance to add to his T20I caps. Sanju Samson is the only opener India have apart from Abhishek Sharma, making him a guarantee to be part of the side. And the Men in Blue have plenty of middle-order options, including Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag and Rinku Singh, who will be ahead of the keeper-batter in the pecking order.
#2 Varun Chakaravarthy
It was a welcome sight to see Varun Chakaravarthy's name in India's squad for the Bangladesh T20I series. The Kolkata Knight Riders spinner has been sensational over the last two Indian Premier League seasons and has the ability to bowl at all stages of the innings.
That said, India might not be too willing to bring him into the mix immediately. Ravi Bishnoi and Washington Sundar have been in impressive form lately, and Gautam Gambhir might want some continuity. Moreover, there are two solid options in Abhishek and Parag.
Chakaravarthy will be a major X-factor if he's picked, but there's a chance that he won't get to add to his limited T20I appearances for India.
#1 Nitish Kumar Reddy
Again, the pecking order philosophy might come in the way. Nitish Kumar Reddy is an immensely talented player with a long career ahead of him, but Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya are ahead of him right now, having played integral roles in the 2024 T20 World Cup triumph.
India have several options in the middle order and might not have room for Nitish, who batted in the top five for the SunRisers Hyderabad during the last edition of the Indian Premier League. There are also three frontline quicks, all of whom are in line to feature heavily, taking away the need for the 21-year-old's contributions in that department.
