Pink-hot India gunning for fourth win in opposition to Bangladesh
Big image: Can Bangladesh spring a shock?
The defending champions have been upset by Afghanistan. Australia have not regarded like Australia of World Cups previous. Pakistan appear missing too. And the South African juggernaut fell aside in opposition to the Netherlands. Of all of the pre-tournament favourites, solely India have performed like favourites and they’re gunning for his or her fourth win, in opposition to Bangladesh in Pune.
Bangladesh might have a beneficial 3-1 ODI record in opposition to India within the final 12 months – most just lately profitable their Super Four encounter within the Asia Cup final month – however beating India in India is simpler stated than accomplished.
The hosts have performed with loads of main-character power of their first three fixtures, scoring convincing victories in opposition to Australia, Afghanistan and Pakistan. They have been examined to various levels in all these video games – diminished to three for two within the chase in opposition to Australia; Afghanistan setting a goal of 273; and Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan constructing a strong platform – however in the long run it wasn’t even shut.
India’s excellent bowling assault, led by Jasprit Bumrah, has taken 28 out of a potential 30 wickets up to now, whereas they’ve misplaced solely 9 wickets in three chases and by no means greater than 4 in a sport. Rohit Sharma ultra-aggressive’s approach has been the spotlight of their batting performances and he is received one other batting-friendly floor ready for him in Pune.
Bangladesh’s solely win in opposition to India within the ODI World Cup was 16 years in the past – in Trinidad in 2007. Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim have been simply beginning their careers then, they usually have performed India 3 times on the largest stage since, shedding fairly convincingly on every event.
This Bangladesh squad has sufficient expertise and younger expertise of their ranks to stretch India, however their present kind is not promising. Mushfiqur has scored two fifties in three matches up to now however the remainder have struggled with consistency. Najmul Hossain Shanto and Litton Das had one good knock every. Rookie Tanzid Hasan hasn’t had a lot affect. Towhid Hridoy, who scored 500 runs earlier than the World Cup this yr, is batting decrease than his standard No. 5 place. Mehidy Hasan Miraz additionally hasn’t been efficient.
Shakib suffered a quadriceps injury final week however may play – as per their coach, Bangladesh are awaiting outcomes of a scan accomplished on match eve earlier than taking the ultimate determination.* With Bangladesh trying to lengthen their batting by having Mahmudullah at No. 8, Mahedi Hasan and Nasum Ahmed, each of whom performed a component within the Asia Cup win in opposition to India, are unlikely to make the XI.
Whether Bangladesh runs India shut or not may come right down to how their quick bowlers fare. Mustafizur Rahman apart, the others have been off-colour. Shoriful Islam has been costly at instances and Taskin Ahmed shouldn’t be the pressure he was earlier this yr. If these three, or Hasan Mahmud and Tanzim Hasan, can fireplace it’ll give Bangladesh a stronger foothold within the contest.
Form information
India WWWLW (final 5 ODIs, most up-to-date first)
Bangladesh LLWLL
In the highlight: Kuldeep Yadav and Najmul Hossain Shanto
Kuldeep Yadav has 5 wickets from three video games and his economic system of three.9 in 30 overs is testomony to the management he is provided through the center overs. He revealed just lately that increasing his pace has allowed him to bowl higher within the final 12 months. Bangladesh’s most up-to-date reminiscence of Kuldeep is his eight-wicket haul within the Chattogram Test late final yr – India will likely be hoping for extra of the identical from him.
After his unbeaten fifty in opposition to Afghanistan, Najmul Hossain Shanto‘s low scores in opposition to England and New Zealand have had an affect on Bangladesh’s top-order returns. His free-flowing batting has been an enormous increase to Bangladesh in 2023 they usually desperately want him again among the many runs.
Team news: Bangladesh to gamble with additional bowler?
India are unlikely to vary their profitable mixture. The small floor dimensions and flat pitch may imply that Shardul Thakur is more likely to maintain his spot forward of R Ashwin.
India (possible): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Shreyas Iyer, 5 KL Rahul (wk), 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Shardul Thakur, 9 Jasprit Bumrah, 10 Kuldeep Yadav, 11 Mohammed Siraj
If Bangladesh can play Shakib, they may. They might be tempted to advertise Mehidy Hasan Miraz to open with Litton and Mushfiqur may additionally bat greater within the order. The query is whether or not Bangladesh will look to strengthen their bowling by sacrificing some batting depth.
Bangladesh (possible): 1 Tanzid Hasan, 2 Litton Das, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto, 4 Shakib Al Hasan (capt), 5 Towhid Hridoy, 6 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 7 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 8 Mahmudullah, 9 Taskin Ahmed, 10 Shoriful Islam, 11 Mustafizur Rahman
Pitch and situations: High scores in Pune?
Since 2017, groups batting first have posted 300-plus totals in three out of 5 ODIs in Pune, although this would be the first worldwide at this venue in 9 months. There was some drizzle on the eve of the match however the forecast is for sunshine on match day.
Stats and trivia: A 25-year wait ends
Quotes
“He had a good batting session yesterday. He did a bit of running between the wickets as well. We are waiting for the result of the scan we did today. We haven’t tried his bowling yet. We will assess him tomorrow morning, and make a decision. If he is not ready to play, we won’t risk it. If he is ready, there’s a chance of him playing tomorrow.”
Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusinghe on Shakib Al Hasan’s availability standing
“When you enter a World Cup, every team will pose you a challenge. So, from our perspective, I don’t think we’ll take anyone lightly.”
India’s bowling coach Paras Mhambrey on Bangladesh
The preview was up to date after the Bangladesh pre-match press convention.
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo’s Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84