It may sound like a wild dream. But cricket analysts cannot completely rule out Bangladesh now looking down the barrel upstaging strong India firing on all cylinders now.
India will all ends covered is now in hot form. Bangladesh on the other land losing two of their last three matches against England and New Zealand are leaking their wounds. But whenever these two teams have met in the recent past it turned out a sea saw battle of nerves. Bangladesh won three of the last four ODI matches including that at recently concluded Asia Cup. Somehow from somewhere Bangladesh achieves Midas touch for turning around.
Can Bangladesh turn out as giants’ killer today? Pune stadium, environment and wicket are well known to most of the Indian players, stadium will turn blue. Off course a small army of tiger fans will also be there. Can Players like Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riad bring the sweet memory of 2007 World Cup. Mashrafe, Tamim, Shakib and Mushfique were rookies then. What a wonderful remembrance it will be if Bangladesh turns the tide today.
Indian players are in great form. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are launching the innings in aggressive manner. Rohit has already produced two great innings. Shubman returning after a bout of dengue looks in good touch. Kohli does not need any introduction to any one in world cricket. Bangladesh can only make any headway if Taskin or Mustahfiz can remove these thorns early. Suggest Bangladesh plays young Tanzim Hasan Shakib today for gaining a psychological advantage. However, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya can also be equally destructive. Shakib and Mehedi Miraj should bowl well on slow turning Pune wicket. Bangladesh bowling bravely and fielding sharp must try to restrict flamboyant Indians below 250. I will suggest Bangladesh bat first if they win the toss as letting India bat first may lead them chasing a huge score. Young players playing in front of huge cheering crowd in blue ocean may get rattled.
Bangladesh must not risk with young Tanzid Tamim against Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj, Rather Mehedi Miraj should open with Litton and Nazmul Shanto should bat at number three. Mushfique, Shakib and Mahmudullah should follow. Tawhid Hridoy should bat at number seven. Hope Nasum Ahmed gets and opportunity today. Taskin did not appear to bowl at his best in the matches so far. Can Bangladesh try with Hasan Mahmood, Mustafizur and Tanzim Shakib today? An Indian win is a logical conclusion but cannot all together rule out Bangladesh upstaging the favorites. What a sweet event that would be for tiger lovers at home at everywhere!
BDST: 0910 HRS, OCT 19, 2023
SMS
