Bangladesh, who are yet to win a match against significant opposition since last year’s World Cup, now have the unenviable task of beating an in-form India to avoid elimination
Siddarth Ravindran11-Jun-2008Match factsThursday, June 12, 2008
Start time 15.00 (local), 9.00 (GMT)
Will Bangladesh be celebrating at the end of the match … © AFP
The Big PictureAny doubts about how an Indian batting line-up would perform without their senior players were put to rest by the clinical victory over Pakistan. Bangladesh, who are yet to win a match against significant opposition since last year’s World Cup, now have the unenviable task of beating an in-form India to avoid elimination. India’s massive win on Tuesday means that only an unlikely defeat by more than 218 runs will stop them from making the title clash. Form guide – India Last five matches: WWWWL (most recent first)
Players to watch: Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir have been in sensational form in recent months. Their opening partnerships in the IPL formed the bedrock of the Delhi Daredevils’ IPL campaign and the ease with which they piled on 155 at more than seven an over against Pakistan would worry any opposition.Form guide – Bangladesh Last five matches: LLLLL (most recent first)
Player to watch: For a batsman of Mohammad Ashraful’s undoubted class, an ODI average of 22.71 is unacceptable. Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons was heartened by the manner in which Ashraful ground out an unbeaten 56 against Pakistan, shunning the impetuousness that has brought an abrupt halt to many of his innings. It will be interesting to observe what sort of approach Ashraful adopts against India.Team newsWith Farhad Reza having had a horror run in the recent series against Pakistan, Bangladesh are likely to retain the XI they went in with for the previous game.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Shahriar Nafees, 3 Mohammad Ashraful (capt), 4 Raqibul Hasan, 5 Alok Kapali, 6 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 7 Mahmudullah, 8 Mashrafe Mortaza, 9 Dolar Mahmud, 10 Abdur Razzak, 11 Shahadat Hossain.
… or will Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir put the Bangladesh attack to the sword? © AFP
India’s coach Gary Kirsten spoke about adopting a rotation policy, and with a place in the final almost assured, they are likely to experiment with the line-up. Ishant Sharma has recovered from a niggle he picked up in the game against Pakistan but could be rested to give Manpreet Gony a debut.India (probable): 1 Virender Sehwag, 2 Gautam Gambhir, 3 Yuvraj Singh, 4 Rohit Sharma, 5 Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt & wk), 6 Suresh Raina/ Robin Uthappa, 7 Yusuf Pathan, 8 Irfan Pathan, 9 Piyush Chawla, 10 Praveen Kumar, 11 Manpreet GonyPitch and conditionsWith pitches offering considerable assistance to spin, and getting slower as the ball gets older, the batsmen may want to make the most of the hard, new ball. And with the tracks being composed of black soil, it has also been tougher for the batsmen to sight the ball as the innings progresses. Although heavy showers are forecast for the rest of the week, the excellent drainage facilities – and the reserve day – should ensure a completed match.Stats and trivia Praveen Kumar’s ODI career has got off to a fantastic start – he now has three four-wicket hauls in six games India are among Mashrafe Mortaza’s favourite opponents. His four wickets knocked the wind out of India’s World Cup campaign in 2007, and he averages 56 with the bat at a strike-rate of 138.27 While Tamim Iqbal averages only 22.91 in away ODIs, he manages a healthy 39.88 while playing at home Two of Dhoni’s four ODI ducks have come against BangladeshQuotes”We have strategies for each and every player, not only their in-form openers.”
Ashraful says Bangladesh have done their homework
“They have enough depth in both batting and bowling and they should not be rated by one innings when they lost to Pakistan.”
Dhoni isn’t underestimating Bangladesh
