Going by the teams’ current form, the popular pre-match prediction of India’s World Cup match against Bangladesh here on Thursday will see a romp for Rohit Sharma’s men. But if the glossy surface gets scratched, you will have to tear that image away using the form book. Bangladesh have defeated India three times in the last four ODIs: twice in a bilateral series in December 2022 and then recently in the Asia Cup Super Four match. In this tournament, the underdogs have already shown how to beat the giants.
If in doubt, check with England and South Africa about their feelings after their shock losses to Afghanistan and the Netherlands respectively.
India would certainly want to avoid that banana peel and keep their good run in this World Cup intact.
On the batting front, captain Rohit will look to continue his imperious form while top hitters Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli will be keen to score big.
Rohit has been at the forefront of India’s domination over the past few matches, with stunning knocks of 86 against Pakistan and 131 against Afghanistan. India are at the top of the points table and would be looking to extend their winning streak.
While the two top-quality knocks have put Rohit in the spotlight, his younger opening partner Gill would be keen to score a big score for himself as he is back to full fitness and has put in an impressive performance in the ODIs this year.
For Kohli, a mistimed hit against Pakistan led to an early dismissal, but that was a minor mistake as the batting maestro previously produced a masterful 85 against Australia and a match-winning 55 not out against Afghanistan.
Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten fifty against Pakistan, among other things, has indicated that India’s batting is coming in unison and there are no real concerns. That’s why the team may not want to tinker with the winning combination yet.
While India will look to make the most of batting-friendly conditions here at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, their mixed record of four wins in seven matches at this venue in ODIs, combined with the recent series against Bangladesh – three defeats in the last four one-dayers matches – makes the role of the bowlers all the more important.
No doubt, India will be the heavy favorites against Bangladesh given the top performances of their bowlers, restricting Australia to just 199 and Pakistan to a paltry 191.
Indian bowlers too have put in a collective effort, though Jasprit Bumrah’s brilliance and Kuldeep Yadav’s guile made them a standout from the rest in the league, with their ability to control the opponent’s scoring rate and making regular progress even on the flattest of grounds to book. of decks.
Bangladesh cannot be blamed for spending much of its preparation time drawing up plans against Rohit, whose red-hot form promises a third straight century in World Cup matches against the ‘Tigers’.
Rohit’s astonishing 137 in the quarter-final in Melbourne (World 2015) and 104 in Birmingham (2019) saw his side cross the 300-run mark for the third time in a row since the 2011 edition against Bangladesh, with India putting their opponents under a mountain of runs buried. each of these occasions.
The Indian captain has hit eight centuries, the most for any batsman in World Cup history, and it remains to be seen how soon he will reach double figures in terms of hundreds given his magnificent form.
Despite their impeccable performance so far, India will have to guard against any complacency, knowing that this World Cup has already produced two sensational upsets, with defending champions England being hounded by Afghanistan and South Africa being stopped by an energetic Netherlands.
The knowledge of the conditions and an expected full house at the MCA Stadium once again promise India the best atmosphere to record another victory at this World Cup and continue their march to the semi-finals, but Bangladesh are no pushover and it was a tough one team to face for India.
It is imperative for Bangladesh that their best player and captain Shakib Al Hasan overcomes the challenge of a quad injury in his left leg and is available for selection on Thursday.
Shakib, who did not bowl during the team’s training on Tuesday, will be essential for Bangladesh to take the fight to India.
A comprehensive victory in the World Cup opener followed by two defeats against better teams has left Bangladesh in a position of despair as a third defeat on the trot will only dent their hopes.
Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz have half-centuries each to show in the top order from the first three matches, but more is expected from youngsters Najmul Hossain Shanto and Towhid Hridoy as only Mushfiqur Rahim has done the heavy lifting in the first three games. middle order.
Taskin Ahmed’s sudden dip in form has increased the pressure on the team hunting for bowling options, with the right-arm seamer managing just two wickets in three matches.
For someone with as much experience as Mustafizur Rahman, the returns have been largely disappointing considering he also has only two wickets to show for in three matches.
The teams (away): India: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav.
Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Das (wk), Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (vc), Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
The match starts at 2:00 PM IST.
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