Afghanistan have stunned the reigning champions. Australia has changed from previous World Cup appearances. Pakistan also appears deficient. And against the Netherlands, the South African powerhouse crumbled. Only India and New Zealand have performed like favorites out of all the pre-tournament favorites. The latter have already won four straight games, and India is now hoping to accomplish the same in Pune against Bangladesh.
Even though Bangladesh has a 3-1 ODI record against India over the past 12 months—winning their most recent Super Four match at the Asia Cup last month—beating India in India is still a difficult task.
In their first three games, the hosts have shown a lot of character energy on the field, winning convincingly over Australia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. All three games tested them in different ways—they were cut down to 3 for 2 in the chase against Australia; Afghanistan set a target of 273; and Mohammed Rizwan and Babar Azam built a strong foundation—but in the end, it wasn’t even close.
In just three chases, India’s exceptional bowling attack, spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah, has claimed 28 of a possible 30 wickets; they have also never lost more than four in a single game. Their batting performances have benefited greatly from Rohit Sharma’s ultra-aggressive style, and he has another batting-friendly surface in Pune waiting for him.
In the ODI World Cup, Bangladesh’s lone victory over India occurred in Trinidad in 2007—16 years ago. At that time, Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim were only beginning their careers. Since then, they have faced India three times on the grandest platform, losing each time rather handily.
Although this Bangladeshi team is young and has enough experience to challenge India, their current performance doesn’t look good. In his first three games, Mushfiqur has already scored two fifties, but the other players have not been as consistent. Litton Das and Najmul Hossain Shanto each received a solid knock. Tanzid Hasan, a rookie, hasn’t made a big difference. Towhid Hridoy is batting lower than his typical No. 5 spot, despite having scored 500 runs prior to this year’s World Cup. Neither has Mehidy Hasan Miraz proven to be successful.
Shakib sustained a quadriceps injury last week, but according to their coach, he could play. Bangladesh will make a final choice after receiving the results of a scan on match eve. Mahmudullah at No. 8 would allow Bangladesh to extend their batting innings, therefore Mahedi Hasan and Nasum Ahmed—both of whom contributed to the Asia Cup victory against India—are unlikely to make the starting lineup.
How Bangladesh’s quick bowlers perform could determine whether or not they run India close. Other from Mustafizur Rahman, none of the others have been really good. Taskin Ahmed has not been the same force as he was earlier this year, and Shoriful Islam has occasionally been costly. Hasan Mahmud and Tanzim Hasan, if they are able to score, will give Bangladesh a greater advantage in the match.
With five wickets in three games, Kuldeep Yadav’s economy of 3.9 in thirty overs is evidence of the control he provided in the middle overs. He recently said that he has been able to bowl more effectively over the past 12 months by picking up the pace. Kuldeep’s eight wicket performance in the Chattogram Test at the end of last year is the last thing Bangladesh will remember about him; India will be expecting for more of the same from him.
Bangladesh’s top-order returns have suffered as a result of Najmul Hossain Shanto’s poor performances against England and New Zealand following his undefeated fifty against Afghanistan. Bangladesh has benefited greatly from his free-flowing batting in 2023, and they are in dire need of his return to the field.
Team news: Will Bangladesh use an extra bowler as a gambler?
It is improbable that India will alter their winning lineup. Due of the flat pitch and limited field size, Shardul Thakur is probably going to maintain his advantage against R Ashwin.
Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, 4 Shreyas Iyer, 5 KL Rahul (wk), 6 Hardik Pandya are the probable members of India’s team. 7 Jasprit Bumrah, 8 Shardul Thakur, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Mohammed Siraj, and 11 Ravindra Jadeja
Bangladesh will play Shakib if they are able to. Mehidy Hasan Miraz might be encouraged to begin alongside Litton, and Mushfiqur could bat higher in the order. The question is if Bangladesh will try to give up some batting depth in order to bolster their bowling.
Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan (capt), and Towhid Hridoy are the possible candidates from Bangladesh. 6 Rahim Mushfiqur (wk), 7 Miraz Mehidy Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, 10 Shoriful Islam, 11 Mustafizur Rahman, and 8 Mahmudullah
Pitch and circumstances: Best results in Pune?
Although this will be the first international at this location in nine months, batting first teams have amassed 300-plus totals in three of the last five One-Day Internationals (ODIs) in Pune. On the eve of the game, there was some drizzle, but on match day, there would be sunlight.
Facts and information: A 25-year wait is over
In twenty-five years, Bangladesh is playing its maiden ODI in India. Among those who participated in their first ODI match against India at the Wankhede in 1998 include TV pundit Athar Ali Khan, team director Khaled Mahmud, and top selector Minhajul Abedin.
In 15 ODIs against Bangladesh, Virat Kohli has amassed an average of 67.25 and a strike rate of 101.25, along with four hundreds.
In ODIs, Mustafizur, Taskin, and Shakib have all amassed five wicket totals against India.
“His hitting practise yesterday went well. He also ran a little bit in between the wickets. We are awaiting the scan’s outcome from today. We’ve yet to give his bowling a try. Tomorrow morning, we shall evaluate him and come to a decision. We won’t take a chance if he isn’t ready to play. There is a potential he could play tomorrow if he is ready.”
Chandika Hathurusinghe, the coach of Bangladesh, on Shakib Al Hasan’s availability
“Every side you play against at a World Cup will push you. Therefore, I don’t think we’ll treat anyone lightly from our standpoint.”
Paras Mhambrey, India’s bowling coach, on Bangladesh
Following the pre-match press conference for Bangladesh, the preview was revised.
