The Indian Cricket Team has had its own share of ups and downs. The Men in Blue have seen it all, be it ending the ICC title drought run or having a disastrous and whitewashed three-match home test series loss against the Kiwis.

But, regarding the ups, the shortest format gave scrumptious success and joy amongst the Indian cricket fanatics. With their 2nd ever ICC T20 World Cup triumph after a long gap, leading them to be the No. 1 team in the ICC T20I rankings, it deserves noteworthy praise.

That said, here's the list of the top three formidable victories of the Indian Cricket Team, the T20I edition.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed the pitch and outfield ratings for the last game of the India vs Bangladesh two-match Test series at Green Park (Kanpur), started on September 27. 

It was a two-match Test series between the hosts India and the visitors Bangladesh, which was a part of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship. 

MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk, Chennai) hosted the Test series opener, where India secured a 280-run win against the visitors. 

Green Park in Kanpur had dramas and controversies

Green Park in Kanpur hosted the second Test, where only 35 overs were bowled in the first three days of the Test match. The second and third days of the Test match failed to provide any game. Despite no rain, the venue management failed to provide any playing opportunity on the third day. 

Also, one of the stands at Kanpur’s Green Park was considered unsafe, as the stadium authorities were instructed to open up a limited number of its upper-level seats for the spectators.  

Although the Uttar Pradesh government is the owner of the Green Park Stadium, as per the MoU, the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) is responsible for the ground's condition. 

Despite the venue controversies, India still secured a seven-wicket win in that Test match to end the home Test series by winning it 2-0. 

After Bangladesh were all out for 233 runs in the first innings of the Kanpur Test, the hosts India replied with 285/9 (decl.). Later, India bundled out Bangladesh for only 146 runs and comfortably chased the 95-run target by losing three wickets. The entire Test match was completed in 173.2 overs. 

ICC brought two different ratings for the Kanpur Test

The second Test venue faced massive criticism due to a lack of professionalism in handling an international cricket match. The ICC has rated the venue outfield “unsatisfactory.” However, the pitch of the venue received the “satisfactory” mark.

India completed a whitewash in the three-match home T20I series against Bangladesh as the hosts thrashed Bangladesh by 133 runs after recording the second-highest T20I total. 

After the Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav chose to bat first at Hyderabad, the hosts scored 297/6 in 20 overs. In reply, Bangladesh were restricted to 164/7 in 20 overs. 

Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav destroyed Bangladesh bowlers

Opener Sanju Samson had a great night along with the skipper Suryakumar Yadav. While Samson completed his half-century in 22 balls, Yadav reached the 50-run mark in 23 balls. 

Samson's storm continued after his fifty, as the right-handed batter hit five consecutive sixes to the leg-spinner Rishad Hossain and ended the 10 overs with India’s total of 152/1. Soon, the right-handed wicketkeeper-batter completed his maiden T20I century by 40 balls. While he was the first Indian wicketkeeper to hit a T20I century, Samson also recorded the second-fastest T20I century by an Indian. 

Samson had a 173-run partnership with the skipper for the second wicket. While Samson scored 111 runs off 47 balls with 11 fours and eight sixes, Yadav scored 75 off just 35 balls with eight fours and five sixes. 

Riyan Parag and Hardik Pandya enjoyed

Also, the next batters, Riyan Parag and Hardik Pandya took the advantage fully. While Parag scored 34 off 13 balls with one four and four sixes, Hardik scored 47 off just 18 balls with four fours and four sixes. 

These dominating batting performances resulted in the second-highest total in T20 International cricket. 

Among the Bangladesh bowlers, Tanzim Hasan Sakib managed to pick up more than one wicket, as he had the bowling figures of 4-0-66-3.

The battle wasn't enough for the visitors

In reply, Bangladesh lost their first three batters inside the powerplay. The visitors scored 59/3 in six overs. 

Litton Das and Towhid Hridoy fought hard with a 53-run partnership for the fourth wicket, but nothing was scaring India’s giant total. While Das scored 42 off 25 balls with eight fours, Hridoy was not out on 63 runs off 42 balls with the help of five fours and three sixes. They are the only two Bangladesh batters to reach the 20-run mark in that innings. 

Among the Indian bowlers, Ravi Bishnoi (3/30) took three wickets and Mayank Yadav (2/32) got two wickets. 

India's largest T20I wins (by runs)

Indian batters had no mercy in the last game of the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh at Hyderabad, as the hosts recorded the second-highest total in T20I cricket history. 

Leading the series by 2-0, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav chose to bat first, and India scored 297/6 in 20 overs. 

Although the opening batter Abhishek Sharma was dismissed in the third over after scoring four runs, the Indian batters then totally dominated the Bangladesh bowlers. 

Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav had a 173-run partnership 

India scored 82/1 in the powerplay and scored 100 runs in 7.1 overs. When India scored 119/1 in 8.3 overs, the floodlight failure stopped the game for a while. Before that stoppage, Samson had already completed his half-century in 22 balls.

In the restart, the Indian batters continued their bashing. In the 10th over, Samson thrashed the leg-spinner Rishad Hossain for five consecutive sixes. 

Captain Suryakumar Yadav completed his half-century in 23 balls, while Samson completed his maiden T20I hundred and fourth T20 century in just 40 balls. Samson became the first Indian wicketkeeper-batter to record a T20I century, and he also recorded India's second-fastest T20I hundred. 

After scoring 111 off 47 balls with the help of 11 fours and eight sixes, Samson was dismissed by Mustafizur Rahman. Before his wicket, Samson and Suryakumar had an unforgettable 173-run partnership for the second wicket. 

While Samson was dismissed in the 14th over, Suryakumar was out in the next over after scoring 75 runs off 35 balls with the help of eight fours and five sixes. 

Riyan Parag and Hardik Pandya utilised the situation perfectly

Despite their dismissal, the next Indian batters continued the run flow as the visitors had no clue. Riyan Parag and Hardik Pandya had a quick-fire 70-run partnership in just 4.1 overs for the fourth wicket. 

Parag scored 34 runs off just 13 balls with one four and four sixes. On the other hand, Hardik scored 47 runs off 18 balls with four fours and four sixes.

Among the Bangladesh bowlers, Tanzim Hasan Sakib took three wickets and finished with the bowling figures of 4-0-66-3. Out of his three wickets, he picked up two wickets in consecutive deliveries during the last over of the innings.

Highest T20I totals

Hardik Pandya took a stunning catch in the Delhi T20I on Wednesday (October 9) night, where India secured the home T20I series against Bangladesh by 2-0 with one match to go. 

It was the second T20I of the three-match series at Delhi, where India were sent to bat first and the hosts scored 221/9 in 20 overs. In reply, Bangladesh were restricted to 135/9, as India won that match by 86 runs. 

Hardik Pandya covered 27 meters for a catch

Bangladesh were deeply struggling in the high chase when Hardik Pandya took an incredible catch. 

It was the third ball of the 14th over of the second innings, where Bangladesh were battling at 93/6. Varun Chakravarthy delivered an outside the off stump to Rishad Hossain, who connected well to blow that to the long on. Pandya started his running from deep mid-wicket and covered around 27 meters to grab that stunning catch. That incredible catch ended Hossain's innings for nine runs off 10 balls. 

HARDIK PANDYA TOOK A STUNNER 🥶

- One of the Great comeback stories ever in Indian cricket. pic.twitter.com/XZKAeg3ad9

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 9, 2024

Nitish Kumar Reddy won the Player of the Match

Earlier in the batting, Hardik Pandya scored 32 off 19 balls with the help of two fours and two sixes. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Rinku Singh also batted dominantly, as they completed half-centuries in 27 and 26 balls, respectively. Reddy scored 74 off 34 balls with four fours and seven sixes. Meanwhile, Rinku Singh was out after scoring 53 off 29 balls with five fours and three sixes.  

Mahmudullah, who will retire from T20I after the last match of the series, was the only 20+ runs scorer in Bangladesh innings as the right-handed batter scored 41 runs off 39 balls with the help of three sixes. 

All seven Indian bowlers took wickets in the match. Nitish Kumar Reddy (2/23) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/19) picked up two wickets each in that innings. Reddy won the Player of the Match for his brilliant all-round performances. 

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a 15-member Indian men’s squad for the upcoming three-match home T20I series against Bangladesh. 

Gwalior, Delhi, and Lucknow will host the three T20Is between India and Bangladesh on October 6, 9, and 12, respectively.  

On Saturday (September 28) night, the men’s selection committee announced the 15-member Indian squad for the forthcoming home T20I series. Suryakumar Yadav will continue his captaincy role who started to lead the team as a full-time skipper during India’s last T20I series (excluding as a stand-in captain in the absence of a full-time captain) against the hosts Sri Lanka, where India won the series by 3-0. 

The selection committee hasn’t announced any vice-captain. The Indian has some other experienced names like Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson, Ravi Bishnoi, and Arshdeep Singh. 

On the other hand, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Abhishek Sharma, Jitesh Sharma, and Harshit Rana are also part of the latest Indian T20I squad, who were previously part of the recent Zimbabwe tour last July. 

SEE ALSO: In-form Chahal has clear message for selection committee

Mayank Yadav earns maiden call-up

The 22-year-old fast bowler Mayank Yadav has earned his maiden national team call-up for the upcoming home T20I series. 

Varun Chakaravarthy returns

The 33-year-old mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy has also been named in the 15-member squad. He made his debut for India in 2021 and played six T20Is that year. Since then, he has been waiting for his next opportunity after picking up two wickets in six T20Is. 

India’s leading T20I wicket-taker Yuzvendra Chahal is not in the T20I squad. He hasn’t played an international match in 2024. His last international match was Lauderhill T20I against West Indies in August 2023. 

Indian team is currently busy in the last Test of the two-match home Test series against Bangladesh.  

Full-member Indian squad for the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh

Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakaravarthy, JItesh Sharma (wk), Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav

Since the end of the Chennai Test, there has been a big question about Bangladesh star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan's availability for the second Test at Kanpur.

During the Chennai Test, the left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan was underused, especially in the first innings of the match. Shakib bowled only eight overs in the first innings, while the left-arm spinner also bowled 13 overs during India’s second innings. However, later Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto clarified that the former Bangladesh captain was underused, especially in the first innings as per team strategy.

SEE ALSO: Know about Kanpur pitch report for the upcoming second Test against Bangladesh

Shakib was injured during the Chennai Test

The left-handed batter Shakib scored 32 and 25 runs in that Chennai Test. While he was batting, he got a hit on his finger against Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s delivery. Although Shakib required a short medical treatment, he continued his batting.

There was a big question about Shakib’s availability for the Kanpur Test. Moreover, in the recent net session, Shakib only batted close to ten balls, which raised the doubt more. 

Shakib is eligible for selection: Chandika Hathurusingha

However, Bangladesh's head coach Chandika Hathurusingha has clarified Shakib’s present status. He straightly denied any injury concern for Shakib and claimed that the experienced all-rounder would be eligible for the Kanpur Test.

Hathurusingha said, "I have not heard anything on Shakib regarding any complaints. I haven't heard from my physio or anyone else so he is eligible for selection."

Despite a good start for Bangladesh in the Chennai Test, the visitors were thrashed by 280 runs. It was India’s largest victory margin against Bangladesh (by runs). 

Bangladesh are challenging for the top two places of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship points table, especially after their recent 2-0 series victory against the hosts Pakistan. However, the Chennai defeat has dropped them in the points table. 

Kanpur will host the second or last Test of the series, starting on September 27. While the hosts India are ready for another strong performance at home, Bangladesh have a major task to change the odds by winning the second Test. 

Bangladesh star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is doubtful for the second Test against India at Kanpur, starting September 27. 

Bangladesh lost the two-match Test series opener at Chennai by 280 runs. The visitors had a good start in the Test match by taking the first six wickets of the hosts for only 144 runs. However, Ravindra Jadeja and centurion Ravichandran Ashwin guided the hosts to the safe zone that helped India claim a big win.  

Shakib was somehow underused as the bowler, especially in the first innings. While the left-arm spinner bowled eight overs in the first innings, where India batted more than 90 overs, the Bangladesh spinner delivered 13 overs in the next innings. Shakib finished that Test match without a wicket.

As a left-handed batter, Shakib fought hard and scored 32 and 25 runs in the Chennai Test. During the Chennai Test, the batter Shakib once got a hit on his finger by a delivery from Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah. The Bangladesh star required some medical treatment before continuing his innings. 

Watch: Gill teases Siraj saying 'baaki sab fake hai'

Shakib Al Hasan was a 100 percent fit before the Chennai Test: Hannan Sarkar 

Hannan Sarkar, a member of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) selection panel, has clarified that Shakib was 100 percent fit for the Chennai Test. 

Sarkar said, according to Cricbuzz, "We know the pain in his hand is being discussed. It was not there before the match and many have tried to explain it in different ways. But before the match, we got a 100 percent clearance from the physio before taking him. He was a 100 percent fit then.”

Sarkar also clarified that Shakib felt discomfort in his finger rather than calling it an injury. 

The former Bangladesh cricketer added, "You can't say it's an injury. The discomfort he felt in that finger was not there before the match. He felt that when he started to bowl.”

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto also confirmed that Shakib's injury wasn't serious by revealing that he didn't use Shakib much in the bowling due to feeling other bowlers were doing well. 

Will Shakib play in the Kanpur Test?

Talking about Shakib’s availability confirmation for the upcoming Kanpur Test, Sarkar said that they could take a decision on it after the practice session on Tuesday (September 24). 

Sarkar said, "We are heading to Kanpur tomorrow (Tuesday) and today is a day off. We will have two sessions afterwards and we will judge after that (regarding Shakib's availability in the second Test) and we don't want to make a decision yet.

"These two days, the physio has kept him under observation. When we get back to the ground, we will get the physio's feedback. We have to think before picking Shakib for the next match and there is time before the next match. We will see what condition he is in.”

Why Shakib was biting the black strap while batting?

During the Chennai Test, Shakib was also seen biting down on a black strap that wrapped around his neck while batting. Mentor Mohammad Salahuddin and BCB's chief physician Dr Debashish Chowdhury later clarified that it was Shakib’s personal idea to have a correct head position at batting. 

While India started the two-match home Test series against Bangladesh with a record-margin victory at Chennai on Sunday (September 22) morning, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the full-member Test squad for the second or last Test of the series. 

Green Park (Kanpur) will host the last Test of the home Test series against Bangladesh from September 27. This Test series is a part of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship, where team India is leading the points table. 

There is no change in Indian squad

The men’s selection committee has decided to retain the same 16-member full Indian men’s squad for the upcoming Kanpur Test against Bangladesh. It means that the 26-year-old left-arm pacer Yash Dayal is the only uncapped player in the Indian squad for the Kanpur Test.

Watch: What Indian captain Rohit Sharma did to take Bangladesh wickets

Ravichandran Ashwin won the Player of the Match award in the Chennai Test

On Sunday, India won the Chennai Test by 280 runs. It was India’s record margin Test victory against Bangladesh (by runs). Chasing down the 515 runs fourth innings target, Bangladesh were all out for 234 runs. Only the skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (82) scored 40+ runs in that innings. 

Ravichandran Ashwin, who rescued the hosts in the first innings with his sixth Test century (113), picked up six wickets in the fourth innings of the Chennai Test. At the end of the fourth innings, the off-spinner Ashwin had the bowling figures of 21-0-88-6 as he claimed his 37th Test five-wicket haul in an innings. Without any doubt, the 38-year-old won the Player of the Match award for his all-round performances. 

After this home Test series, India will also play a three-match home T20I series against Bangladesh before starting the three-match home Test series against New Zealand. 

Indian full-member Test squad for the Kanpur Test against Bangladesh

Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Yash Dayal

Team India started the new home season with a strong win against Bangladesh in the first Test of the two-match Test series at Chennai. 

Bangladesh, who were battling at 158/4 in the end of the third day, had the massive fourth innings target of 515 runs to win the Chennai Test. 

India won by 280 runs

On the fourth day morning session, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Shakib Al Hasan were desperate to handle the strong Indian bowling attack. They set up a 48-run partnership for the fifth wicket by adding 36 runs on the fourth day. However, once that partnership was broken after Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed Shakib (25), Bangladesh batting had no more reply.

Bangladesh lost their last six wickets for only 40 runs as the visitors were bowled out for only 234 runs. India won the two-match Test series opener by 280 runs. It was India’s largest Test win against Bangladesh (by runs), where Ashwin won the Player of the Match award for a century in the first innings (113 runs) and six-wicket haul in the fourth innings (6/88).

SEE ALSO: Ashwin levels Shane Warne in the Test record book

Indian captain Rohit Sharma did the bail-trick

In the early morning session, Indian bowlers fought hard to manage the first wicket of the day. During the frustrating early morning, once the Indian captain Rohit Sharma did some special thing to break the disturbing partnership. 

During a break at the end of an over, Rohit altered the bails of the batting side wickets set. Later, the Indian skipper did a funny thing at the slip. We now all know what happened after the first hour of the fourth day. 

The win you know, the juju you don't 😆 pic.twitter.com/JPETlsRsGn

— S🦦 (@Iwillhuntuhdown) September 22, 2024

It was not a new thing. Previously, Virat Kohli did it during India’s tour of South Africa, and India got a breakthrough in the next over. 

It is known as the old bail-trick. Once the former English pacer Stuart Broad used it, and Australian cricketer Marnus Labuschagne lost his wicket on the next ball. Broad claimed that he learnt this trick from Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

It is really funny and surprising how this bail-trick sometimes brings profitable luck for the bowling teams.