Spotlight on India's young guns in Gwalior's newest territory

Less than three months ago, Abhishek Sharma was at the pinnacle of his young career. "Today's my day," he had declared after smashing a 46-ball hundred in only his second international appearance. And he did that while opening the batting with his friend and Punjab teammate from U-12 days, Shubman Gill, who incidentally was also captaining the side. Fittingly, it was Gill's bat with which he reached the milestone.

But cricket has a way of turning fortunes around quickly. Just two days later, he had to move down the order to accommodate Yashasvi Jaiswal, the incumbent opener, and unfortunately that was it for Abhishek's short stint at the top. He wasn't even in the Indian squad for India's tour of Sri Lanka later that month.

Abhishek is back again in the spotlight and this very much feels like his moment. The same can be said for a lot others in this 15-man squad who have on occasions been rendered to the sidelines because someone better was in the way. This is their chance to bubble to the top. Varun Chakaravarthy, who is yet to play an international match on home soil, comes in with a point to prove whereas Sanju Samson, forever battling for a middle-order spot, gets a temporary new lease at the top of the order. Riyan Parag finally earns his place and Ravi Bishnoi would want to step up as the lead legspinner and emerge from the long shadows of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav.

Which is why those struggling to see the relevance of this three-match T20I series, that's buried deep in India's Test season, are missing the point. Indian cricket runs deep and opportunities like these, to make a claim, can be few and far in between. Just ask Abhishek.

"It's a great opportunity for youngsters. Whenever they have played for there states, they have done well. There's nothing different to do here," India captain Suryakumar Yadav said on the eve of the first T20I.

On the surface, this series might not offer India much to gain. After all, they have only ever lost to Bangladesh once in 14 attempts. But what's also true is that this is a very young Indian side which is out to answer