Sanju Samson is expected to get a place in the Indian side for the Bangladesh T20Is ahead of Ishan Kishan who is trying to make a return to the national side for nearly a year. Both the wicket-keeper batters were impressive in the recently concluded Duleep Trophy, scoring a century each. However, as things have panned out Samson is most likely to feature in the T20I series against Bangladesh.

Recently, Kishan gained notoriety for playing domestic cricket in accordance with the selectors’ directive, which stoked rumors that he would be called up to the Indian squad for the forthcoming three-match Twenty20 International Series against Bangladesh. Prior to being removed from the side almost a year ago for reasons unrelated to his play, Kishan had all but secured his spot on India’s white-ball team. He was even selected for the 50-over World Cup squad because of his consistency.

Now that domestic cricket has taken center stage, Kishan has a chance to be called up to the Indian squad again, but it appears he may have to wait longer. Kishan has been named in the Irani Cup team, but Samson is not included in the five-day match scheduled for October 1–5, which concludes in Lucknow the day before the first T20 International against Bangladesh in Gwalior on October 6. Even while players can always be selected for international service from domestic fixtures, it seems that Samson might be the team’s choice for the time being. Samson, who has played thirty T20 Internationals, might be asked to open the innings, a responsibility he undertook but failed to fulfill during the series against Sri Lanka.

Since the selectors are unlikely to choose Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal due to more pressing Test obligations, there is a need for an opener in the T20 Internationals. All other Test players who were a part of the T20I team in Sri Lanka, including Mohammed Siraj, Axar Patel, and Rishabh Pant, are expected to be rested. However, for someone like Sai Sudarshan, who played in a T20I in Zimbabwe in July, the decision might present an opportunity. The batter for Gujarat Titans and Tamil Nadu is a member of the Irani team. Hardik Pandya will be a member of the team led by Suryakumar Yadav, who will return as captain.

Meanwhile, the questions regarding Ruturaj Gaikwad still loom over. Gaikwad has been quite brilliant for the national side whenever he has been presented with an opportunity to play. He, however, was left out of the Sri Lanka T20Is despite his consistent performances in Zimbabwe and even prior to that. Gaikwad even has a T20I century to his name. Since he was appointed as the skipper of the Rest of India, one would expect that he wouldn’t be a part of the Indian side for the Bangladesh T20Is either.

India will play Bangladesh in 3 T20Is starting in Gwalior on the 6th of Oct followed by games in Delhi and Hyderabad on the 9th Oct and 12th Oct respectively.

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