India has faced a setback ahead of their three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, as all-rounder Shivam Dube has been ruled out due to a recurring back injury. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed this unfortunate news just before the opening game in Gwalior, leaving the team without one of their key players.

Shivam Dube, who played a crucial role in India's T20 World Cup victory earlier this year, has struggled with back issues throughout his career, and the injury has resurfaced, preventing him from participating in the upcoming series.

Tilak Varma, who played his last T20I game for India in January 2024 against Afghanistan, is set to rejoin the national team.

"All-rounder Shivam Dube is ruled out of the three-match T20I series owing to a back injury. The Senior Selection Committee has named Tilak Varma as Shivam’s replacement. Tilak will link up with the squad in Gwalior on Sunday morning." The official statement added.

In other updates, India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav held a press conference where he confirmed India’s opening pair for the T20I series. Suryakumar revealed that Rajasthan Royals (RR) wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson will open the innings alongside Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) Opener Abhishek Sharma, who debuted earlier this year. The captain expressed his confidence in the pair and their potential to give India a strong start.

"Sanju Samson will open with Abhishek going forward in this series," Suryakumar Yadav told reporters.

India’s Updated Squad for the T20I Series Against Bangladesh 2024:

Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav, Tilak Varma