BAN VS IND 1ST T20I

Right then, that is it from this game where India takes a 1-0 lead and will be looking to wrap up the series in the next game while Bangladesh will be hoping to level it. The 2nd T20I will be played on 9th October, Wednesday in New Delhi at the iconic Arun Jaitley Stadium. It will start at 1.30 pm GMT, but as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up to the match. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Arshdeep Singh is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his brilliant bowling spell. He says that there was a breeze going around from the end he was bowling. Adds that he did not get his first wicket the way he wanted but was happy with it anyway. Mentions that he makes minor changes like with his wrists or fingers to bring in the variations. Says that the young bowlers have done well especially Mayank Yadav who had a good debut. Ends by saying that, this format is all about adapting to situations, conditions, and ground dimensions.

Suryakumar Yadav, the victorious skipper of India says they just tried to back their skills and tried to walk the talk. Mentions it was great how the guys showed character and selflessness. On being asked about the two debutants, Mayank and Nitish, he appreciates them and says they are interesting players and is looking forward to watching them do well in future games. On being asked about so many players to choose from, he jokingly says it is a good headache to have many options at your disposal when you are on the field. Concludes by saying there's always room to learn and improve in every game.

Najmul Hossain Shanto, the captain of Bangladesh says that they did not start well. Adds that in T20s it is important to play well in the Powerplay but they didn't. Mentions that the plan was to bat positively but they also need to adjust according to the situation. Tells that they need to focus on strike rotation and not only on hitting boundaries. Says that they scored 95-odd runs in 14 overs but lost too many wickets. Ends by saying that it is difficult for the bowlers to defend such a low score on a wicket like this, but still Rishad Hossain bowled well and Fizz delivered a couple of decent overs.

Presentation Time...

Varun Chakaravarthy is up for a quick chat. He says it feels like a rebirth for him to be back in the blues after 3 long years.  Adds he just wanted to stick to the process, and that's what he tried to do in the Indian T20 League earlier this year. Adds he doesn't want to think and express too much. Mentions he played a few leagues and got to learn a lot in the TNPL alongside Ravichandran Ashwin, and it was a good preparation for him for this series. Says once you're not in the Indian team, people write you off and you just need to keep doing the job sincerely.

Earlier in the game, Bangladesh posted a below-par total with only Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mehidy Hasan crossing the 20-run mark. Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakaravarthy were the pick of the bowlers for India with three wickets each while debutant, Mayank Yadav also performed well and got one. Hardik Pandya and Washington Sundar also chipped in with one each as well. It was a real all-round performance from the World T20 champions and the batters also made the chase look like a cakewalk.

Not much to talk about the bowling of Bangladesh and it was not helped by the fact that their batters did not show up for this game. They were put under pressure early on from the Indian openers and never seemed to recover from that. Mehidy Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman were the ones with a wicket to their name while the other one was a run out. However, there were a few positives, mainly the spinners. Rishad Hossain did not get a wicket but bowled really well and Shoriful Islam was also economical in his two overs and this is something they can build on in the upcoming games.

The target for India was not a big one, but the way they executed the chase was excellent. The positive intent was visible right from the start when the two openers took on the attack. Abhishek Sharma fell to an unfortunate run out but not before playing a fiery cameo. It was actually selfless batting from all the players and no one was going for personal milestone. Sanju Samson failed to convert his start again but showed his class in his knock of 29 off 19. SKY was exceptional and displayed a show of brilliant whips and flicks which also ultimately proved to be his downfall. With not much required to chase, Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy joined hands and made sure to finish the job. Reddy was the second fiddle while Pandya stayed unbeaten on 39 off just 16 balls finishing things off with little more than 8 overs to spare.

DOMINANCE FROM INDIA! The first T20I in this new stadium in Gwalior and the Men in Blue were simply brilliant with both bat and bowl providing an incredible experience for the packed crowd. The hosts take the early lead in the series with Bangladesh having their task cut out now.

SIX! HARDIK PANDYA FINISHES OFF IN STYLE FOR INDIA! Banged in short and on the top of the stumps, Hardik Pandya stands tall, backs away, swings hard, and slaps the pull rows behind the deep mid-wicket for a huge six. Hardik kills the game with 49 balls remaining and 7 wickets in hand.

FOUR! The ball's gone and so has the bat! Hard length outside off. Hardik cuts it hard and loses the grip of the bat. However, he connects it off the middle and the ball goes racing away to the deep backward point fence for a boundary.

FOUR! Easy peasy! Into the single figures now! Short and on off, Hardik Pandya arches back, ramps it over short third for a boundary. He doesn't even look at the ball as it dribbles away into the fence. Quite a raw expression from Pandya.

Much fuller, on middle, Nitish Kumar Reddy flicks it with his wrists to deep square leg for another single.

Taskin comes back into the attack, bowls a toe-crushing yorker on the pads, and bends Hardik Pandya who tries to flick it away. It goes off Pandya's boot to short fine for a leg bye.

Doesn't get hold of it, does Hardik. Nice and full, on off, Hardik Pandya swings hard at it to go over the long on region but gets it off the inner half for a single. India just 12 runs away from the win.

On middle, full and flat, Hardik Pandya pushes it back to the bowler.