India vs Bangladesh T20I series: Hits and misses from the Men in Blue

The Indians survived a mighty scare on Sunday when they withstood a sizzling knock by Mohammad Naim in the third T20I to win the series 2-1. After being stunned in the first T20I in Delhi, Rohit Sharma's men, in the absence of a few key players, were made to toil hard to seal the series in their favour.

The series provided valuable insights into the team's bench strength, which could come in quite handy in the build-up to the T20I World Cup 2020 in Australia. While a few players ruled the roost with rip-roaring performances, a couple of youngsters didn't seem to do any favours to their spots in the side.

Here are the hits and misses from India's T20I series against Bangladesh.

Hits:

Shreyas Iyer

The number 4 slot in India's limited overs sides has long been a matter of debate. Over the years, several players have failed to come to the team's rescue at the coveted spot, thereby exposing a glaring shortcoming in the otherwise water-tight line-up. However, the just-concluded T20I series against Bangladesh has shed light on a talented youngster, who could well be the answer to India's conundrum.

Long deemed as one of the more exciting prospects in Indian cricket, Shreyas Iyer grabbed his opportunity with both hands against Bangladesh. After showing glimpses of his skill in the first two T20Is, the 24-year-old took the field by storm in the series decider on Sunday. Smashing a breathtaking 66 off 32 deliveries, Iyer played a key role in India's handsome victory at Nagpur. The right-hander's blistering knock was studded with 3 boundaries and 5 maximums that lit up the Jamtha.

The team management will be hoping that Iyer continues to carry his good form and stands as a bankable option for the T20I World Cup next year.

Deepak Chahar

Deepak Chahar's dream spell in the third T20I is unlikely to be forgotten soon. Scalping 6 wickets for 7 runs, including a hat-trick, the speedster essayed a vital part in helping India overcome the Bangladeshi challenge on Sunday.

Rising to the occasion in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami, Chahar shone as one of Rohit Sharma's most trusted knights in the three-match series. Making a mark with the Man of the Series award, the pacer might have well sealed his spot for India's upcoming T20I series.

Misses:

Rishabh Pant

Time seems to be running out rather quickly for young Rishabh Pant. Bursting onto the international scene with the reputation of being a swashbuckler, Pant hasn't quite been able to prove his mettle in the Indian jersey yet.

Lackluster batting display, sloppy glove-work behind the stumps and poor judgment over DRS calls in the T20I series against Bangladesh have left the youngster behind the eight ball.

While the 21-year-old seems to be having the backing of his skipper and the team management, things might soon turn sour if he doesn't justify their faith in his next few outings. With the likes of Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, and KS Bharat catching the eye with impressive performances in the domestic circuit, the wicketkeeper-batsman currently has his back to the wall and will be raring to prove his worth.

Khaleel Ahmed

Picked in the side to lend versatility to the Indian bowling unit with his left-arm pace, Khaleel Ahmed couldn't live up to the expectations in the T20I series against Bangladesh.

Despite being presented with opportunities in all three games, Ahmed ended up with just 2 wickets at a high economy rate. The lanky pacer seemed to be low on confidence and didn't quite seem to possess the potent to rattle the batsmen. With plenty of promising talents hovering around the selectors' radar, Khaleel Ahmed will be keen on pulling his socks up if given a chance again.