India’s wrist spinner Varun Chakravarthy made a stellar return to international cricket after nearly three years, playing a pivotal role in India’s dominance over Bangladesh in the first T20I at the New Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium, Gwalior. Chakravarthy's spell of 3/31 helped dismantle the Bangladesh middle-order, marking his best figures in T20Is as India restricted the visitors to 127 in 19.5 overs.

Chakravarthy's comeback magic

Returning to the national team after two years and 11 months, Varun Chakravarthy displayed his class and variation, making an immediate impact despite a shaky start. Brought into the attack in the fifth over, Chakravarthy nearly got his first wicket when Towhid Hridoy mis-hit a shot to square leg. Unfortunately, debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy dropped the chance, and the ball raced to the boundary. Hridoy capitalized on the missed opportunity, hitting another boundary off the next delivery. To make matters worse, Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto smashed Chakravarthy for a six off the final ball, resulting in a 15-run over for the spinner.

However, the 33-year-old bounced back brilliantly in his second over. He dismissed Hridoy (12 off 18) as the batter holed out to long-on, giving Chakravarthy his first wicket. He continued to torment Bangladesh’s middle-order, deceiving Jaker Ali with a sharp googly, which uprooted the stumps in his third over. Chakravarthy’s relentless variations kept the Bangladesh batters in check, and in his final over, he dismissed Rishad Hossain (11 off 5), who miscued a shot to Hardik Pandya at deep mid-wicket. Chakravarthy's efforts were instrumental in India’s grip over the match, finishing with impressive figures of 3/31.

Varun Chakravarthy finishes with a three-wicket haul in his comeback match! 💪

Second catch for Hardik Pandya 🙌

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Debutant Mayank yadav impresses

In addition to Chakravarthy’s heroics, debutant fast bowler Mayank Yadav also had a memorable outing. Yadav started his international career in fine fashion by bowling a maiden over, becoming the third Indian cricketer after Ajit Agarkar and Arshdeep Singh to begin a T20I career with a maiden. The young pacer didn’t stop there and claimed his first international wicket in his second over, dismissing the experienced Mahmudullah (1 off 2). His disciplined bowling played a crucial role in India’s efforts to keep Bangladesh on the back foot.

Yadav’s composed performance, alongside Arshdeep Singh’s brilliant spell of 3/14, ensured that Bangladesh could never recover from early setbacks, and the visitors were bowled out for 127 with just one ball remaining in their innings.

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Bangladesh's innings came to a close at 127 in 19.5 overs. Mehidy Hasan Miraz was the top scorer for Bangladesh with 35 runs, but their batting lineup crumbled against India’s disciplined bowling attack. Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakravarthy shared six wickets between them, with Mayank Yadav and Washington Sundar also chipping in with crucial breakthroughs. India will now look to chase down the target of 128 in 20 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the series.