India look to continue winning juggernaut in World Cup clash against Bangladesh

Going by current form of teams, popular pre-match prediction of India’s World Cup game against Bangladesh here on Thursday will be a romp for Rohit Sharma’s men.

But if glossy surface is scratched, one will have to tear away that view based on form book.

Bangladesh have beaten India three times in last four ODIs -- twice in a bilateral series in December 2022 and n in Asia Cup Super Four match recently.

In this tournament, underdogs have already shown how to slay giants. If in doubt, check with England and South Africa about ir feelings after ir shock losses to Afghanistan and Nerlands respectively.

India would certainly want to avoid that banana peel and keep ir good run intact in this World Cup.

In batting front, captain Rohit will look to continue his imperious form while top order batters Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli will be er to score big.

Rohit has been at forefront of India’s domination in last couple of matches with stunning kcks of 86 against Pakistan and 131 against Afghanistan. India are perched on top spot in points table and y would aim to extend ir winning run.

While two kcks of highest quality have put Rohit in limelight, his younger opening partner Gill would be itching to get a big score for himself, given that he is back to full fitness and has had an impressive run in ODIs this year.

For Kohli, a mistimed hit against Pakistan led to an early dismissal but that was a mir blip, as batting maestro previously produced a masterful 85 against Australia and a match-winning 55 t out against Afghanistan.

Among ors, Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten fifty against Pakistan has signalled that India’s batting is firing in unison and re are real concerns. As such, team may t want to tinker with winning combination just yet.

While India will look to make most of batting-friendly conditions here at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, ir mixed record of four wins in seven matches at this venue in ODIs, combined with recent run against Bangladesh -- three defeats in last four one-dayers -- makes bowlers’ role all more important.

doubt, India will be firm favourites against Bangladesh, considering ir bowlers' top class performances in restricting Australia for a mere 199 and Pakistan for a poor 191.

Indian bowlers too have done a collective job though Jasprit Bumrah’s brilliance and Kuldeep Yadav’s guile made m a stand out attack from rest in competition, in ir sheer ability to keep opposition team's scoring rate in check and making regular inroads even on flattest of decks.

Bangladesh are t to be blamed if y spend a large part of ir preparation time drawing up plans against Rohit, whose red-hot form promises a third century in a row in World Cup encounters against 'Tigers'.

Rohit’s stupendous 137 in quarterfinal in Melbourne (2015 World) and 104 in Birmingham (2019) ensured his side exceeded 300-run mark for a third consecutive time since 2011 edition against Bangladesh, with India burying ir opponents under a mountain of runs on each of se occasions.

Indian captain has hit eight centuries, most for any batter in World Cup history, and it remains to be seen how soon he enters double-digit figures in terms of hundreds, given his magnificent form.

twithstanding ir impeccable run so far, India will look to guard against any complacency kwing that this World Cup has already produced two sensational upsets, with defending champions England hunted down by Afghanistan and South Africa stopped in ir tracks by a spirited Nerlands.

kwledge of conditions and an expected packed house at MCA Stadium promises India best atmosphere once again to record ar win in this World Cup and continue ir march towards semifinals, but Bangladesh are pushovers and y have been a tricky side to face for India.

For Bangladesh, it is imperative that ir best player and captain Shakib Al Hasan overcomes challenge of a quad injury to his left leg and is available for selection on Thursday.

Shakib, who did t bowl on Tuesday during team's training session, will be essential for Bangladesh to take fight to India.

A comprehensive win in World Cup opener followed by two defeats against better teams has put Bangladesh in a position of some desperation, given that a third loss on trot will only dent ir hopes.

Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz have one half-century each to show at top order from first three games but more will be expected from young players Najmul Hossain Shanto and Towhid Hridoy, as only Mushfiqur Rahim has done heavy-lifting in middle order.

Taskin Ahmed’s sudden dip in form has piled up pressure on team which has been scampering for bowling options, with right-arm seamer managing only two wickets in three outings.

For someone as experienced as Mustafizur Rahman, returns have largely been disappointing, as he also has only two wickets to show in three matches.

Squads (From): India: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav.

Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Das (wk), Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (vc), Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib.

Match starts at 2pm IST.