India cautious vs upbeat Bangladesh ‘India not out to prove a point against Bangladesh’
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Rohit might be in good nick of late with two fifties in the tournament, but he will be tested by Mustafizur, who dismissed him in all three matches of the 2015 bilateral series. between India and Bangladesh see a pair of wins for both nations, Bangladesh’s ability to keep their excitement in check on what will be their greatest day in international cricket will be tested.
Since the 2015 World Cup, Bangladesh are a markedly improved side. They not only have the experience in players like Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and skipper Mashrafe Mortaza, the Tigers pride in the fact that they have a quartet of pace bowlers who can run through any quality opposition.
Mortaza said keeping composure will be Bangladesh’s biggest test Eco. M 100s Avg M
Bhuvneshwar has been consistent and impressive in the Champions Trophy with three of his four victims being left-handers. Tamim has been among runs. and if the boys can achieve that, India will have a fight on hand.
“We are excited for sure but have to ensure that we play this match like a bilateral series game and not a semifinal match,” the Bangladeshskippersaid,indicating how the mind will play its part on such a big occasion for the tournament upstarts.
Bangladesh have tested various bowling combinations in this Champions Trophy and with a stalwart like Courtney Walsh in the dressing room, there is no shortage of good advice for the bowlers.
The Edgbaston wicket looks full of runs and that will mean the bowlers have a lot of work to do.
Bangladesh have quality 4WI Eco. M 100s Avg
The exchange of words between the two at the 2015 World Cup wasn’t the first time. According to Hossain, it dates back to their U-19 days. It could get renewed. strokemakers up front and India could be adopting the strategy that worked brilliantly against the South Africans – dry up the runs in the first 10 overs.
Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar did the containing job with aplomb and Thursday’s match could be decided by the bowlers who bowl the right lengths and the side that holds its catches.
Yuvraj Singh will be playing his 300th ODI on Thursday and Kohli wanted a special innings from the veteran star to mark the occasion.
India’s top five batsmen have been among the runs and it is unlikely Kohli will change the combination that left South Africa reeling in London.
Edgbaston will be bursting at its seams for the India vs Bangladesh match. This West Midlands city has a high density of Asian population and for them India’s place in the semifinals was perhaps a given.
Bangladesh’s entry in the semifinals has taken the world by surprise.
But Virat Kohli knows the illeffects of over-confidence and complacency. M 4WI Eco. M 100s
They haven’t met before in an international tie and it might turn out to be an exciting contest between the seasoned all-rounder and the new-found death-overs specialist.
Virat Kohli chose to play down recent records as defending champions India have judiciously taken the ICC Champions Trophy semifinal against Bangladesh at Edgbaston on Thursday with all the seriousness it deserves.
“We will treat it as our last game,” said Kohli, adding that India have the momentum after their big win against South Africa. “We need to execute another perfect game,” the skipper said in reference to India’s eight-wicket win at The Oval on Sunday.
Thursday’s fixture will be the first ever between India and Bangladesh in Champions Trophy and even though recent records show India have won twice and lost as many against Bangladesh, Kohli said “we are not going out to prove a point”.
The build-up to the India versus Bangladesh match has been quite spicy.
Taunting Indian cricketers in social media and also by a section of the Bangladesh press have added to the fire but Kohli reacted in a manner a top captain should, with respect and grace. Avg M 4WI Eco. M
The India opener is in scintillating form and is the tournament’s highest run-getter with 271 runs. On Thursday, he will be be up against the seasoned Mashrafe Mortaza. Appreciating Bangladesh’s steady rise in limited-overs cricket, Kohli said: “Bangladesh are a dangerous side. They have skilful players who are passionate and have made huge strides in international cricket.”
Bangladesh have qualified for the ICC Champions Trophy for the first time and their win against New Zealand in the group stage have put them in a good space. And Kohli is aware.
“We have never taken any side for granted and we have the same mindset for the Bangladesh game. Champions Trophy has seen upsets and the knockouts are a different zone,” Kohli said.
The India skipper said India have been in such situations before in inter- 100s Avg M 4WI Eco.
ON GUARD India and Bangladesh contest for first time in the Champions Trophy and recent records between the subcontinental neighbours has been even
national cricket, hinting that his players are better placed at handling the pressure of a knockout contest.
Kohli said he was “not bothered at all” that India’s middle-order has hardly been tested.
“Give them an opportunity and they are ready to find off games. Guys like Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya and even Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja) are waiting for their opportunity to impress. That’s the best part of this team,” said Kohli.
Kohli indicated that India may not change a winning combination. Ravichandran Ashwin, who came in place of Umesh Yadav in the last match against the Proteas, is likely to retain his place. “Ashwin was brilliant. We had a complete game and there is no need to change,” said Kohli. Kohli, in good space, said he was taking the Bangladesh game like another ODI match. “There are no special plans and I will like to keep things simple. As far as I am concerned, I will approach this match like any other IPL, Ranji Trophy or India game...my mindset doesn’t change at all.”
The fact that Kohli admits there are “no guarantees” in cricket put the India vs Bangladesh match in the right perspective.
We have never taken any side for granted, we have the same mindset for Bangladesh. Champions Trophy has seen upsets.
There are no special plans and I will like to keep things simple. As far as I am concerned, I will approach it like any other IPL, Ranji or India game.