The Indian cricket team is on a roll at the Cricket World Cup 2023. With three wins in three matches, the Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team is currently second in the Cricket World Cup points table. They face Bangladesh in their fourth match at the Cricket World Cup with a view to returning to the top position in the points table. Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha praised them on the eve of their Cricket World Cup match against the hosts on Thursday.
“I think they have covered every area. They have strike bowlers up front. Bumrah is almost at his best, as good as we have seen in the past. They have good, experienced spinners going into the middle overs. And their batting, Especially the top order is in action and it is scary how they are playing without much fear at this stage,” Hathurusingha told reporters ahead of the match against India.
Enjoyment is the key recipe for success for any team and the Indian team is no exception, said the former Sri Lankan international.
“It seems like they are enjoying their cricket and their home World Cup at the moment and there is a lot of support,” he added.
‘Shakib won’t play if he doesn’t feel ready’
On the mend after a left quadriceps problem, Bangladesh captain Shakib al Hasan has had a good net session in the nets but Hathurusingha insisted that the star all-rounder will play the World Cup match against India only if he feels completely fit.
“He (Shakib) had a good batting session yesterday. He also ran a bit between the wickets. We are waiting for the result of the scan we did today. We have not tried his bowling yet. We will assess him tomorrow morning and make a decision,” said Hathurusingha.
“If he is not ready to play, we will not take the risk. If he is ready, there is a chance he will play tomorrow (Thursday),” the coach added.
“First it is the medical staff who give us their opinion. They give the green or red light. They give us the indication where the player is. If they think it is not risky, the player is given the choice to play the game or not. It depends on the captain and the coach whether they want the player or not. Whether he is wanted in one or both disciplines,” he added.
Bangladesh have defeated India thrice in the last four ODI encounters in recent months but this will have no impact on the World Cup match to be played here on Thursday, Hathurusingha said.
Hathurusingha, whose side is under pressure to bounce back from back-to-back defeats, said World Cup matches are very different from any other and Bangladesh will have to produce their best cricket to beat India.
“We had success against India in the recent past, but in the World Cup it is very different. We are hoping for a full performance. India, the team that is in form at the World Cup, has not had a very good performance.” game, and (if) we play to our potential, it will serve us well. We have to start well,” he stated while interacting with the media.
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