India vs Bangladesh: Key battles that would makes the match thrilling to watch
The ICC World Cup 2019 is reaching its last leg as Bangladesh take on India in match number 40 at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Tuesday.
None of them will say it on record, but if there’s one team, players from India hate losing to, it’s Bangladesh. And vice-versa.
India vs Bangladesh is the growing rivalry in Asia. India vs Pakistan is all hype, but the actual cricket is one-sided often in India’s way. The last close India-Pakistan match was in the Asia Cup 2014, when Shahid Afridi took Pakistan to a one-wicket win in the last over hitting R Ashwin for two sixes. India won convincingly in eight of the nine subsequent meetings, while Pakistan won easily in the other – the Champions Trophy 2017 final.
Bangladesh haven’t defeated India since their ODI series win at home in 2015, but the matches have gotten increasingly closer. Bangladesh have somehow choked in each of the thrillers, but have generally been competitive.
The match is important for both sides, as India are looking to seal a spot in semis, while a loss for Bangladesh would bring their campaign to an end.
Following are the key battles that could make the match even more thrilling to watch:
Virat Kohli vs Shakib al Hasan
Mashrafe Mortaza can throw the ball to the experience Shakib when Kohli walks out and takes guard. Shakib’s form in the tournament has been exceptional and he will need to take out the threat of Kohli early in the piece, while the Indian captain will be wary of the Shakib-threat.
Let’s not forget Kohli’s World Cup debut was against Bangladesh where Kohli scored an unbeaten hundred.
Rohit Sharma vs Mustafizur Rahman
Rohit is a man in form, he has been consistent for India at the top of the order and will once again hold the key against Bangladesh. However, he will be challenged by Mustafizur Rahman and his left-arm angle and this is where he needs to be wary and see off the new ball and the powerplay overs.
Tamim Iqbal vs Mohammed Shami
13 wickets in 3 matches and Shami has been an inspired pick for India. His form with the new ball has been exceptional and he will be a massive threat for Bangladesh and here, Tamim Iqbal, one of the key members of the side, will need to bat with more responsibility to ward off the threat.
Jasprit Bumrah vs Mushfiqur Rahim
Bumrah has been Kohli’s go-top man all tournament and for Bangladesh, Mushfiqur Rahim has been the rock in the middle order. This contest in the middle phase of the innings could drop the hammer as far as the eventual result of the match is concerned. While Bumrah will go for wickets, Rahim has the temperament to soak up pressure and bat deep into the innings.
Mehidy Hasan vs MS Dhoni
There has been a recent trend against MS Dhoni – opposition skippers chuck the ball to a spinner when Dhoni walks out and this forces the former Indian captain to shut down shop. Mashrafe can do the same as soon as Dhoni walks out. Well, the onus is now on Dhoni to break the shackles and make a statement against the spinners after the criticism he copped for his innings against England.
India’s failure to pick the right playing XI
The biggest flaw that was observed in India’s strategy was their failure to get the combination right.
With the pitch assisting batsmen, there was no point in playing both Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal.
Dropping one of them for all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja would have made sense.
It would have bolstered their batting and India might have possibly put a show while chasing.
Still India have a huge advantage over Bangladesh
In the World Cup to date, both the teams have met on three occasions, as Bangladesh have scripted a solitary win, while India have won twice.
In England, both have clashed once, with India winning it.
As for their head-to-head clashes, both the teams have come across 35 times, with Bangladesh winning five times, while India have scripted 29 victories.
A high-scoring pitch at Edgbaston awaits the fans
While the opening two matches saw moderate totals being scored, Sunday saw a high-scoring flat track.
Thus, chances are we would witness another batsmen friendly pitch.
Also, the short boundaries could play a crucial role in the match today
Both the teams are likely to go with a batting-heavy playing XI. The team winning the toss would like to bat first.
