If it was Arshdeep Singh, who set the tone with the new ball, it was comeback man Varun Chakaravarthy, who imparted the sucker punch in the middle overs as India romped to a thumping seven-wicket win in the first T20I match at the jam-packed Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium on Sunday. Bangladesh proved to be no contest to India who chased down the total in 12 overs and gifted the Gwalior crowd joy as cricket returned to the city after the gap of 14 years.
Former India coach Ravi Shastri had said on air that Arshdeep Singh has improved leaps and bounds since making his international debut. And no one has taken more wickets than Arshdeep in T20Is, at a quicker rate. He is known for his unflappable temperament in crunch situations and had played a pivotal role in India’s T20 World Cup earlier this year. But at the same time, he has also emerged as a leader of the bowling attack in this format, in the absence of the imperious Jasprit Bumrah.
On Sunday evening in Gwalior, when Mayank Yadav the debutant was strolling alone near the India dug out after the toss, it was Arshdeep, who first came up to him, put an arm around his shoulders to calm down his nerves. When Mayank was introduced into the attack, Arshdeep, patrolling at mid-on was gesturing towards the speedster to keep it easy.
Arshdeep now a veteran of 55 ODIs and 86 wickets to his name, led India’s bowling attack taking a leaf out of Jasprit Bumrah’s book. “Before the 19th over in the World Cup final, Jassi bhai came to me and said, keep it simple, execute your plans and don’t overdo it. If nothing is happening, keep hitting the good length, make batters go for the shots”
At Gwalior, he struck in the first over. The 25-year-old immediately realised that there is no swing to offer and after conceding a boundary, he pulled his length back. Liton Das went for a heave and ended up ballooning it in the air. On the first ball of his second over, lured Parvez Hossain Emon. Arshdeep hit the good length, it was not too wide to cut and Emon ended up dragging it onto the stumps.
He came back to see off Bangladesh’s innings with a pinpoint yorker that will make even Jasprit Bumrah proud to claim Mustafizur. Arshdeep finished with 3 for 14 as Bangladesh were bowled out for 127 after being put into bat.
Comeback man Varun
In his cricketing career, Varun Chakaravarthy has broken many myths about Indian cricket. A loot bloomer, who started playing serious cricket at 26. He earned an India call-up at 30, and was made the scapegoat after India’s 2021 T20 World Cup debacle in Dubai. In IPL 2022, it felt like he had even lost his mystery. In IPL 2024, he played a crucial role in the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) title triumph as he picked up 21 wickets, the second-highest of the season.
Varun Chakravarthy finishes with a three-wicket haul in his comeback match! 💪
Second catch for Hardik Pandya 🙌
Live – https://t.co/Q8cyP5jXLe#TeamIndia | #INDvBAN | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/3CxbO56Z4Z
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 6, 2024
Now at 33, he has made a comeback into an inexperienced Indian side and proved his mettle. He has missed 86 matches for India, since playing his last T20I. It is not the first time in his life he has found his way back to the top after rock bottom. He braved the 2017 Chennai floods, which caused heavy damage to a site he was working on. He has done it while playing tennis-ball cricket, where he ditched wicket-keeping gloves to become a medium-pacer. But a knee injury would turn him into a mystery spinner.
It was not an ideal comeback from Varun in Gwalior. He conceded 15 runs in his first over. he could have had a dream start but debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy spilled an easy chance at square leg. Varun who generally never shows an ounce of emotion didn’t look too pleased and to rub salt on his wounds, Bangladesh captain Najmul Shanto reverse-swept him for a six.
Varun had his revenge in the next over as he got the wicket of Towhid Hridoy, who was traumatised by Mayank Yadav’s express pace from the other end. Varun was not done, he cleaned up Jaker Ali with a quicker one and then dismissed Rishad Hossain to make a memorable comeback, in his first international match in India.
After being ignored for the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, Varun didn’t hide his emotions. In his Instagram story, Varun had written, “I Wish I Had A PR Agency.” With his variations and wickets to show, Varun certainly doesn’t need anyone amplifying his claims.
Mayank shows promise
Till the match eve, Mayank Yadav’s family were not able to decide whether they should travel to Gwalior or not for their son’s debut. Father Prabhu Yadav had told Indian Express “He gets nervous. I don’t want him to get overwhelmed by our presence.” While mother Mamta Yadav was not on the same page. “Humare bachhe ke liye bada din hai, hum zaroor jayenge (This is a big day for our son and we’ll travel).
The first of many more! ⚡️
📽️ WATCH Mayank Yadav’s maiden international wicket 😎
Live – https://t.co/Q8cyP5jXLe#TeamIndia | #INDvBAN | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/Q0XvZGBQrq
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 6, 2024
It is unknown whether the Yadavs travelled for the match or not, but there were indeed a few nerves for Mayank. He was struggling to mark his run-up and was helped by bowling coach Morne Morkel. Donning jersey No 44, he was the first to step out of the pavilion and went to his bowling mark again. Took a pause, had a look around the stadium and was trying to soak it in.
However, with the ball he was hardly edgy. The 22-year-old started with a maiden. He almost touched 150 kph (149.9) in his second over and got his maiden international wicket sending back Bangladesh’s seasoned campaigner Mahmudullah. He got a reality check in his third over, where he varied his length and was punished by Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Rishad Hossain. He leaked 15 runs. But came back strongly to finish his spell 4-1-21-1.
