October 19, 2023: India will be looking at extending their unbeaten run in this edition. Will Bangladesh put a spanner in the wheel is to be seen at the MCA Stadium when they face India in India for the first time since 1998.
Both teams have transformed themselves and prepared well for this mega event, but India, barring 2007, has defeated Bangladesh with ease in the remaining editions.
Bangladesh is the first nation to get the Giant Slayer tag at World Cups, however, since then they have not progressed further. They are heavily reliant on Shakib and Mushfiqur to deliver the goods. Nazmul Shanto and Liton Das have troubled Indians in the past and it is to be seen how they will negotiate the Bumrah 2.0 and emerging Siraj bowling. Towhid and Mahmudullah playing at a lower position than their capability is hitting Bangladesh hard. Sending them up the order can provide the needed strike rotation during the 2nd Powerplay.
Bangladesh's bowling department looks weak with odd brilliant delivery, but Shakib with his left-arm bowling, has been holding the fort. Mustafizur has been out of fizz for some time and the supporting cast in Taskin, Mahady, and Nasum have also disappointed on the big stage.
India, on the other hand, is coming to this game with two precious wins over Australia and Pakistan, apart from the win over Afghanistan. They would like to tick box one more test-playing nation to keep their clean sheet intact.
Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer have been among the runs with a renewed approach to aggressive scoring. If Shubman Gill can make a big score, India can confidently work with a 6+5 combination.
At this stage of the tournament, a win is priceless for both teams, but India looks a better prepared side for this encounter. The availability of Shakib, although it is confirmed, will be critical to any hope of springing an upset by Bangladesh.
The Venue has a history of high-scoring games, and India would love to make use of the conditions and ensure that they are in a commanding position, both with points and run rate. All three games India has played, have been won chasing, and it would be a good idea to bat first. It is a test to understand our bowling strength under the lights. While last week, teams batting first had trouble defending the target (read SL against Pakistan), this week, teams chasing are finding it hard to win. India should test their strength in defending a target, and this is the best opportunity.
For Bangladesh, Liton Das has a career-best of 176 and Bangladesh has successfully chased 322 although it was against a lowly ranked Scotland. Do they have the capability to chase a score beyond 300 is to be seen.
Pure Cricket Advise: Bat first, score as much as possible.
- Sairam, Team Pure Cricket
-------------------------------
Pics: Internet
No comments:
Post a Comment