India vs Bangladesh T20 series: Run feast awaits in Gwalior

A high-scoring match is expected in the first T20I between India vs Bangladesh at the new Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium.

The newly-built Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium will be hosting its first international match. Given the scores in the inaugural Madhya Pradesh League (MPL), it is expected to be a high-scoring match. (Credit: Pratyush Raj and File)

International cricket is returning to Gwalior after 14 years and fans can expect a run feast in the first T20I of the three-match series on Sunday.

“In the 12 games played here in June, teams crossed 200 four times. The pitches here have supported batters and it won’t change on Sunday as well,” a Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) official told The Indian Express.

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In the MPL final, Malwa Panthers chased down 193 with one ball to spare against Gwalior Cheetahs. The tournament kick-started with Jabalpur Lions scoring 249 for 4 and Bhopal Leopards responded with 216. The average first innings score during the tournament was 171 and that for the second innings 150.

“The average score went down because three or four games were affected by rain,” said the official.

Cues from nets

Team India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel was busy with all-rounder Hardik Pandya throughout the first net session in Gwalior. The South African was working on Pandya’s run-up, especially when the latter was shadow-practicing his bowling action.

Morkel seemed unhappy with Pandya bowling closer to the stumps. The new bowling coach was in Pandya’s ear every time he went back to his bowling mark. After 10-15 minutes, Morkel was seen pointing something to Pandya about his release point. The Indian all-rounder nodded and only then did Morkel shift his focus towards Arshdeep Singh and rookies Harshit Rana and Mayank Yadav.

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Why was Section 163 imposed in Gwalior?

The Hindu Mahasabha has called for a bandh in Gwalior on match day, in protest against alleged atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh.

To counter this, Gwalior district magistrate Ruchika Singh has imposed Section 163 till Monday (October 7) and Gwalior Police has arrested at least 30 Hindu Mahasabha members.

Thus, five or more people cannot gather anywhere. Also, processions, demonstrations or public meetings cannot be held without the permission of the administration.

The Hindu Mahasabha also protested on Wednesday, the day both teams arrived in the city.

Pratyush Raj

Pratyush Raj is a sports journalist with The Indian Express Group and specializes in breaking news stories and conducting in-depth investigative reports for the paper. His passion extends to crafting engaging content for the newspaper's website. Pratyush takes a keen interest in writing on cricket and hockey. He started his career with the financial daily Business Standard but soon followed his true calling as Times of India's sports reporter for Punjab in Chandigarh, a job that required extensive travel to states such as Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. He has also contributed to the sports coverage of India Today Group. Pratyush's love for sports blossomed during his upbringing in flood-prone Saharsa, a district in North Bihar, where 'Cricket Samrat' was his cherished companion. ... Read More

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