India will face Bangladesh in the first T20I of the three-match series on October 6 in Gwalior. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja announced their retirement from the format after winning the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

In the middle-order, Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, and Rinku Singh will be competing for the finisher role.

Speaking on Cricbuzz, former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik lauded Parag and Pandya and said that they should be the finishers.

“Riyan Parag and Hardik Pandya are the finishers. Pandya is a special player when it comes to finishing the games. He has won several games and enjoyed the role. Hardik will be looked at as the finisher by the team management,” he said.

“India will perform well with two finishers in the Playing XI. Riyan Parag has a lot of power and skills in terms of striking the ball. Hardik and Parag are all-rounders. India are going to be a different team in the T20 World Cup and the Champions Trophy with these two in the squad,” he added.

In six T20Is, Parag has scored 57 runs and taken three wickets.