‘Almost a decade since this rarity’- Fans go happy as Team India hand Mayank Yadav and Nitish Reddy their T20I debut caps

On Sunday, October 6, in Gwalior, the Indian side plays Bangladesh in the first Twenty20 International (T20I) of the series. The excitement of limited overs cricket is back. As the new-look hosts prepared to try out new players in the shortest format, Team India gave all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy and express pacer Mayank Yadav their T20I debut caps.

The Men in Blue, who have the Indian cap numbers 116 and 117, respectively, have two fresh future stars on their team for the three-match T20I series. A short while back, the national team had given those players who performed well in the Indian Premier League (IPL) an opportunity. Players like Riyan Parag, Abhishek Sharma, Dhruv Jurel, Sai Sudharsan, and Tushar Deshpande started their careers in international cricket wearing the famous Blue jersey during that trip of Zimbabwe.

Speaking of the rookies, Andhra Pradesh-born Reddy, who is renowned for his all-around skills, is a skilled seam bowler as well as a batsman. It’s interesting to note that he had previously played for the Indian team. He had previously received call-ups as well, but regrettably, persistent injuries prevented him from making his India debut. Nitish Kumar Reddy has participated in 20 Twenty20 T20 matches thus far, amassing 395 runs at a respectable strike rate of 128.

However, in the 2024 season of the IPL, Mayank Yadav, an express bowler, terrified hitters with his unbelievable, scorching pace while playing for the well-liked Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Similar to Nitish, the young player too suffered ailments that prevented him from playing in the IPL. He has been recovering ever since, and now he has the wonderful chance to represent India in the Twenty20 international format.

The bowler amassed 19 wickets with a respectable economy of 6.60 throughout his IPL tenure. He has so far appeared in 14 T20s. In addition, Varun Chakravarthy, who is returning to the Indian team after a three-year absence, is another bowler who has avoided the team.

Speaking now about the game itself, India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, chose to go on the field first against Bangladesh after winning the toss. Interestingly, the Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium is the venue for the inaugural T20I match.

Also Read: ‘Mayank Yadav has been the highlight for me’- Parthiv Patel reflects Mayank Yadav’s great debut

The location is having a unique debut as well, as it is hosting its first international match. Meanwhile, supporters took to social media to express their feelings following Mayank Yadav and Nitish Kumar Reddy’s India debut.

Here’s how the fans reacted to Mayank and Nitish receiving their India debut:

all the best #MayankYadav

— पथिक (@upscpsir) October 6, 2024

INDIA WIN THE TOSS AND OPT TO BOWL
FIRST! Time for Mayank Yadav to feature in the 1st innings!
Excited?#INDVSBAN #SuryakumarYadav #T20WorldCup2024 #INDvsPAK

— SHACHINDRA KUMAR (@SHACHINDRA100) October 6, 2024

India Squad for Bangladesh (1st T20):
Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson(w), Suryakumar Yadav(c), Nitish Reddy, Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav#INDvBAN #BCCI #Cricket

— Surendra Marndi (@Surendra_Odisha) October 6, 2024

congratulations for t20i international debut for #MayankYadav #nitishkumarreddy
ipl talent pic.twitter.com/r9pCx0RfT5

— PATEL PARTHIV (@imparthiv_) October 6, 2024

India has won the toss and elected to bowl first.

Two debutant players are:
Mayank Yadav

Nitish Reddy #INDvBAN

— Rohit X (@LoveLaughter143) October 6, 2024

Mayank Yadav and Nitish reddy international debut against Bangladesh . pic.twitter.com/cXv1vJN0ws

— Malik Hammad (@Hammad_Iqbal786) October 6, 2024

लिख कर रख लो, आज ये जोड़ी तबाही मचाने जा रही है, आज बांग्लादेशियो की खैर नहीं….#INDvsBAN #SuryakumarYadav #MayankYadav pic.twitter.com/FwMcIZ0Dv5

— Dr. Arunesh Kumar Yadav (डॉ अरुणेश यादव) (@YadavArunesh) October 6, 2024

It has been almost a decade since this rarity #MayankYadav #INDvsBAN #T20I #Cricket #IndiaCricketTeam #nitishkumarreddy pic.twitter.com/lXXTZeDmMY

— Cricadium CRICKET (@Cricadium) October 6, 2024