India squad for upcoming Bangladesh T20I series: Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill omitted, Sanju Samson as top pick; Hardik Pandya set to make comeback

With Rishabh Pant focusing on playing in 10 Tests this season, Sanju Samson looks set to take over as India's top wicketkeeper for the upcoming Bangladesh T20Is. Reports indicate that Jitesh, who comes from Vidarbha, is currently frontrunner for the second wicketkeeper position, with Ishan Kishan falling behind. Kishan's selection in the Rest of India squad for the Irani Cup hints at a potential delay in his comeback to the international cricket scene.

The Test series against New Zealand, starting October 16 in Bengaluru, might see key players such as Shubman Gill, Pant, and Jasprit Bumrah being rested as part of a workload management strategy. Some players will be unavailable due to their participation in the Irani Cup between Rest of India and Mumbai in Lucknow from October 1 to 5.

Players who were part of the tour to Zimbabwe for a five-match T20I series in July are likely to be considered again. In the absence of Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma is expected to make a return, although it's uncertain who will open with him if both Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal are rested.

Ruturaj Gaikwad, leading the Rest of India team, faces scheduling challenges with the Irani Cup ending just before the Bangladesh T20Is. There's speculation that Jaiswal might play the first T20I, while Gaikwad could join for the remaining matches after the Irani Cup.

Hardik Pandya, alongside Shivam Dube, is preparing for a comeback to the national team. Players like Rinku Singh, Riyan Parag, Washington Sundar, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Tushar Deshpande, and Ravi Bishnoi, who participated in the Zimbabwe series, are expected to be included in the squad. Harshit Rana, who traveled to Zimbabwe as a backup pacer, might also get an opportunity.