Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
After a bit of a debacle in terms of Group Stage scheduling, the Super Four stage is here. One side is coming off one hell of a belting, and another is coming off giving one. If someone predicted that the India vs Hong Kong match would the most competitive out of the six so far, you would have asked them about what they had for breakfast. Or, perhaps, if they had been smoking something.
In regards to this clash, India and Bangladesh have had a few good ODI battles over the last few years, and after a Group Stage that was bereft of competitive battles, one can hope for a good game here.
One can only hope indeed after Bangladesh’s almighty collapse against Afghanistan yesterday. A couple of key players were missing due to injury and workload maintenance, but the old issues of poor death bowling and struggle against quality spin were at the fore. India possess players in the middle order looking to perform, as well as a couple of the world’s best limited overs spinners, so Bangladesh need a mighty improvement in their performance. This match counts for more than yesterday’s, so it will be interesting to see if Bangladesh can quickly put the pummeling behind them.
India, on the other hand, have impressed. A tournament so soon for their Test players after England, plus back-to-back matches in the UAE heat could have got the better of them. Instead, they are coming off a huge win against their arch-rivals Pakistan, with their bowling attack particularly impressing. Bhuvneshwar Kumar made use of his run against Hong Kong, and Jasprit Bumrah is always a brilliant addition. The spinners, including Kedhar Jadhav, will be a threat, and so too India’s top order which looks in good touch even without Virat Kohli. Can the men in blue take one step towards the Final?
Key to a Bangladesh win
It was an almighty struggle yesterday for the Tigers, batting at a run rate fit for Test cricket, rather than a chase of 256. Their inability to rotate strike is an issue, and for them to have a chance today, that simply has to improve. What Bangladesh need to learn is that boundaries and big shots are not everything in limited overs batting.
Will the return of Mushfiqur Rahim prove to be the difference? His magnificent 144 v Sri Lanka last Saturday certainly suggests he is the crucial figure in the batting line up, and they need him to step up today. Much also depends on Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah, with Bangladesh’s less experienced players still failing to step up.
Also, Bangladesh conceding 255 after having Afghanistan struggling at 160/7 after 41 just highlights that while they have made improvements in ODIs, the need for further improvement remains. India possess a top order than can cause damage, so Bangladesh will need to continue their trend of taking early wickets. However, the challenge is bowling and fielding well right throughout the innings, so they will have to be on their game.
Key to an India win
How impressive were India’s bowlers against Pakistan? Sure, Pakistan obliged with some ordinary batting, but India’s discipline and execution was a marker of their credentials in this tournament. Against a side that can falter under pressure, India have the resources to exploit that, but the challenge is executing the plans once again 48 hours after one masterclass.
Also, India’s middle order wasn’t needed on Wednesday, owing to the bowling as well as the top order playing well. Bangladesh have been in the wickets early so far in Asia Cup 2018, so a good platform can enable a somewhat struggling middle order to target a side that can struggle at the death, as was on show yesterday.
Possible teams
For Bangladesh, expect Mushfiqur Rahim and Mustafizur Rahman to slot back into the side. Rahim is a key player with the bat, no doubt, and Mustafizur is important for the death overs, where he was missed yesterday.
Bangladesh possible XI: 1. Liton Das, 2. Nazmul Hossain Shanto/Mominul Haque, 3. Shakib Al Hasan, 4. Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5. Mahmudullah, 6. Mossadek Hossain, 7. Mohammad Mithun, 8. Mashrafe Mortaza (c), 9. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 10. Rubel Hossain, 11. Mustafizur Rahman
For India, Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of the tournament with back spasms. Will they go with Ravindra Jadeja or another seamer? Khaleel Ahmed or Deepak Chahar could get a look in, but that option leaves the batting a little short.
India possible XI: 1. Rohit Sharma (c), 2. Shikhar Dhawan, 3. Ambati Rayudu, 4. Dinesh Karthik, 5. MS Dhoni (wk), 6. Kedhar Jadhav, 7. Ravindra Jadeja/Khaleel Ahmed/Deepak Chahar, 8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 9. Kuldeep Yadav, 10. Jasprit Bumrah, 11. Yuzvendra Chahal
Stats and Facts
- India are on a nine-match winning streak against Bangladesh across formats (six T20Is, two ODIs and one Test).
- Mushfiqur Rahim averages 38.53 v India, nearly five points more than his career average of 33.82.
- Rohit Sharma has hit two centuries in his last five ODI innings vs Bangladesh.
Prediction
Bangladesh are a much improved ODI side these days, but it’s hard to go past India, considering Bangladesh’s shortcoming against quality spin bowling.
Can we see a surprise result? Potentially, but India look good to start the Super Four stage off with a win.
Thanks for reading!
