Will Mayank Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy feature in India's 11? Former Indian player reveals

Former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra said that the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh has thrown up a major selection dilemma for the Indian cricket team management, as they face tough decisions about playing XI.

With three promising young talents, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Mayank Yadav, awaiting their potential debuts, the competition for spots is intense, as experienced players like Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, and the comeback man Varun Chakravarthy are also in line to play.

Aakash Chopra backs Mayank Yadav for India debut and Varun Chakravarthy to get game vs Bangladesh

Aakash Chopra mentioned that Mayank Yadav is fast-tracked into the Indian squad despite his recent injury struggles after a stellar IPL 2024, so he is going to make his India debut in the first T20I against Bangladesh on Sunday, October 6, at the Gwalior International Cricket Stadium.

Mayank Yadav's raw pace and aggression have earned him significant attention, with many seeing him as a potential game-changer for the Men in Blue.

On the other hand, Varun Chakravarthy's return to the national team after a three-year hiatus has also created a buzz, especially given his impressive performance in IPL 2024, which led to his recall.

Varun Chakravarthy's unorthodox spin could add a layer of mystery to India's bowling attack, and Chopra reckoned that Varun is not recalled to the T20I squad to warm the bench, as he feels the spinner is also sure to play in the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh at home.

Ravi Bishnoi and Washington Sundar are in line to play against Bangladesh

Meanwhile, Ravi Bishnoi is also vying for a place alongside the spin all-rounder Washington Sundar, making the battle for selection even more challenging, and it has only intensified the selection dilemma for the team management, according to the cricket analyst Aakash Chopra.

Bishnoi’s consistency and Sundar’s all-round abilities have earned them regular games in the past series, but with newcomers knocking on the door like Mayank, Reddy, and Rana, the Indian team is left with some tough calls to make, as predicted by Chopra ahead of the first T20I.

As India prepares to face Bangladesh in the first T20I, the Indian team management must carefully balance experience and emerging talent. Taking to the social media platform X, Chopra said that it will be interesting to see how the Indian team picks their playing XI for the Gwalior T20I.

Aakash Chopra opines on India's selection dilemma for the T20I series against Bangladesh

Aakash Chopra posted on X: “Interesting selection for the playing XI today. Since Mayank Yadav is fast-tracked, you play him. You don’t fast-track talent to warm the bench. Varun Chakravarthy is back after 3 years. You don’t recall someone sitting on the sidelines either. That said… Bishnoi and Washington are ahead in the queue. Tough calls to be made #IndvBan #AakashVani.”

Interesting selection for the playing XI today.
Since Mayank is fast-tracked, you play him. You don’t fast-track talent to warm the bench.
Varun is back after 3 years. You don’t recall someone to sit on the sidelines either.
That said…Bishnoi and Washington are ahead in the…

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 6, 2024

Notably, India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has already given a clear hint that Mayank Yadav will make his India debut in the first T20I match against Bangladesh. It is also being said that the young sensation Nitish Kumar Reddy is also in line to make his debut in Gwalior on Sunday.