Last Updated on 7 years by Charbel Coorey
The great news is that it is not another India v Sri Lanka cricket match! It’s the team that smashes fours and sixes vs. the team that smashes dressing rooms.
In case you didn’t know who these teams are, one is India and the other Bangladesh, who are coming off a controversial but enthralling two wicket win over rivals Sri Lanka. Both teams’ fans have joined in unison in trolling Sri Lanka fans on social media, but there will be no love lost in a final where bragging rights are up for grabs.
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| Bangladesh successfully stopped another India v SL match from happening.
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India have bossed this tournament after their opening loss to Sri Lanka, and will be pleased about executing better since that match. The bowlers have been key to their performances, restricting both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to below-par scores in their next two games, and then becoming the only team in this tournament to successfully defend a total in their last meeting against Bangladesh. Rohit Sharma returning to form is also pleasing for India, and their death hitting against Bangladesh will give them belief they can put in close to a complete performance again. Like a boxing match, India look the heavyweight in this clash, and if they can land their punches, they’ll be lifting the trophy.
For Bangladesh, they need to pretend the cricket ball is a dressing room window. If they do, they’ll be smashing balls into the crowd like Mahmudullah did the other night in a magnificent match-winning innings. It would be wonderful to see Bangladesh win, simply because they have suffered heartache after heartache in finals in multi-team tournaments, but they need to show more composure at key times throughout the match.
In 2009, Bangladesh lost the final of an ODI Tri-Series involving Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, Bangladesh lost by two wickets after they had Sri Lanka 6/5. In the 2012 Asia Cup Final, they lost by two runs to Pakistan, and then lost the 2016 Asia Cup Final, which was a T20I tournament, to India. They then lost another final less than two months ago in an ODI Tri Series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. Will they be luckier this time? Will they be doing the “nagin dance” come the end of this match?
Key to an India win
This tournament has given us a real look into the talent of Washington Sundar. The 18 year old leads the wicket taking charts with seven after four matches, and his displayed excellent control, going for less than six an over.
The key for India is another solid display with the ball, as their batting has what it takes to score against a Bangladesh side that is struggling bowling at the death. India possess four of the top five wicket takers in this tournament, and if they all click one final time, it could be a tough outing for Bangladesh.
Key to a Bangladesh win
Well, considering Bangladesh are outsiders in this game, they need to focus on two key things, rather than one, to improve their cricket, and finally get a win over India in T20Is.
First, their death bowling is a big concern. Bangladesh seem to work in “halves” when it comes to death bowling – either a “half” volley or a “half” tracker. In the last game, they had Sri Lanka 53/5 off ten overs, and went on to concede 106 in the last ten overs. Mustafizur Rahman, who was sitting on 2/4 off two overs, went onto conceded 2/39 off his four overs – this has to change against India, as they possess a better bowling line up than Sri Lanka, which means runs will be harder to come by. Also, what is this rubbish about not bowling left-arm spinners to left handed batsmen? Shakib, one of the best T20 bowlers going around, refused to bowl himself in key moments of Sri Lanka’s innings. As a massive Shakib fan, he started brilliantly with his leadership, but then fell away as the game went on, headlined by the feisty end to the match.
Another key for Bangladesh is how they deal with India’s variety. India’s bowlers have employed a battery of deliveries in this tournament – different types of slower balls, knuckle balls, bouncers, yorkers, you name it. Bangladesh need to focus on keeping the scoreboard ticking, and that might mean having one player go hard at one end, and another knocking it around at the other. This will be a big test of their cricketing mettle.
Predicted teams:
For India, the Nidahas Trophy was considered an opportunity to test their bench strength, and their cricket has been excellent to date. They have passed with flying colours. Expect the Indians to go in with the same team that beat Bangladesh a few nights ago, except for Jaydev Unadkat or Axar Patel possibly coming in for Mohammad Siraj, who had an expensive outing last time around.
India XI: 1. Rohit Sharma (c), 2. Shikhar Dhawan, 3. Suresh Raina, 4. Dinesh Karthik (wk), 5. KL Rahul, 6. Manish Pandey, 7. Vijay Shankar, 8. Washington Sundar, 9. Shardul Thakur, 10. Jaydev Unadkat, 11. Yuzvendra Chahal
Do Bangladesh make any changes? Should Sabbir Rahman get another chance? Stick with the same bowlers? Should Shakib bat higher? What’s the point of playing Nazmul Islam if he’s not going to bowl to left handers? Bangladesh have more questions than India, but to avoid confusion, could stick with the same line up that has got them to the final.
Bangladesh XI: 1. Tamim Iqbal, 2. Liton Das, 3. Soumya Sarkar, 4. Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5. Mahmudullah, 6. Shakib Al Hasan, 7. Sabbir Rahman, 8. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 9. Mustafizur Rahman, 10. Rubel Hossain, 11. Nazmul Islam
Stats and Facts:
- Bangladesh have lost all finals they have played in since 2009.
- India have won all seven matches against Bangladesh in T20Is.
- Interestingly, Bangladesh lost to Sri Lanka twice in T20Is at home last month, and now beat them twice in Sri Lanka to reach the final.
Prediction:
The first game between these two sides in the Nidahas Trophy was incredibly boring and terribly one-sided. In the second game, Bangladesh improved, and as the series has gone on, they have got better.
However, India, even without some of their biggest stars, still look better-rounded than Bangladesh. You can have more trust in India delivering when it counts, and I think they will. My heart says Bangladesh, but head says India. Whatever happens, here’s to a good game.
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