Tournament Favourites India takes on upbeat Bangladesh - Preview

AND The Show Begins

Preview: World Cup 2010 Opening Game: India versus Bangladesh

Venue: Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, Mirpur,  Dhaka

19, Feb, 2010

Start time: 14:00 hours (IST)

Game is already sold out. People have been long talking about this encounter.

Fans of both sides have predicted this and that. So have cricket pundits. Expectations, from both sides, are greater than before.

Then, there are those who are nervous as well. Some have called it a stage where old scores will be settled.

All that won’t matter when world cup opener involving co-hosts for the event-India and Bangladesh-gets underway at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, Mirpur Dhaka.

Both sides are aware of importance of this encounter. A good start to the mega tournament is what both teams crave for.

It is the history between the two that makes this encounter much anticipated and excited one. Last time, these teams met in a world cup game was in 2007 edition and it ended up in a Bangladesh victory. It meant India’s early exit from the tournament giving millions of their fans heartbreak and a shock off Richter scale to the Indian cricketers.

While Indian team will look to bury the haunting memories of that loss by emerging victorious this time around, their Bangladeshi counterparts know another win over strong team in a big tournament will enhance their ever-growing reputation in the limited overs cricket.

In their heart of hearts Indian players will be gunning for a revenge of 2007 loss, dashing opener Virendar Sehwag’s statement that game is still fresh in cricketers’ minds is an clear indication what they desire.

On paper, India is in different league altogether when compared to Bangladesh but, then, there is pressure of match situation, favourites tag and expectations of millions of fans in India and world over.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, has a right kind of ammunition for the sub-continent pitches to upset the best in the business in this tournament. A 25,000 capacity crowd at Sher-e-Bangla stadium be egging them up, what ever way they can, should lift the side to play their A game. Pressure of playing at home can easily tilt the odds against their favour.

All said and done, India, with a mountain of experience that their players bring, start favourites for Saturday’s game.

BANGLADESH

 Off late, it has been Bangladesh’s packed spin department, which predominantly scripted victories for the side. And, keeping in mind the pitches and conditions sub-continent is going to offer, Bangladesh will also rely on their slow bowlers. Story in Saturday’s match isn’t going to be any different.

They will want to pack their playing eleven with as many spinners they can. All-round ability of their captain, Shakibul Hassan gives them an advantage in that regard. Someone who can bat in the top five, Shakib’s slow left arm gives his side an insurance of complete ten overs in the middle overs.

Left arm spin of experienced Abdur Razzak and young Suhrawadi Shuvo and Mahmudullah’s off spin will try to make sure that they don’t let India score big in the middle overs.

On a spin friendly pitch, Bangladesh will be tempted to play only two seamers and current form suggests Shafiul Islam and Robel Hassan are going to make the cut.

Absent in the squad due to an injury, Mashrafe Mortaza’s fast bowling, however, will be missed who was a main architect of that famous 2007 win by claiming 4 wickets.

Batting line-up is a worry for it hasn’t been able to exhibit much needed consistency. A good innings is, more often than not, followed by a series of poor shows. Team management and captain will want batsmen to apply their minds a bit more to give support to the bowling line-up.

In batting, much will depend on health of aggressive opener, Tamim Iqbal’s form. If he gets going, then fans will be in for a treat. He will, be partnered by rather subdued Imrul Kayes and number three should go to left handed Junaid Siddique.

Mohammad Ashraful, who hasn’t had much to boast of in recent times, will come at four and the big stage should spur him up for a big score.

Dependable Shakib, batting at five, will look to lend stability to the middle order followed by wicket keeper Mushfiqur Rahim.

Fielding is a worry. That was evident from their four drop catches against Pakistan in the warm-up game. Coach Jamie Siddons will want more from his players in the field.

India

Every facet of the game seems to be covered as far as India is concerned. Second to none batting line-up, a good mixture of fast and spin bowlers and a improved fielding side makes it go into this match as favorites.

The opening pair of maestro Sachin Tendulkar and dashing Sehwag will give any team sleepless night. They didn’t do much during India’s world cup game loss to Bangladesh and the duo will be upbeat and focused to make amends in this tie. At vital number three position, Gambhir will be seek to keep his dream run with the bat going.

All the talk before this encounter regarding India’s number four for the game was ended by skipper Dhoni hinting that Virat Kohli will be in the playing. That would mean, in all likelihood, Suresh Raina is going to miss out.

Stylish and out form left hander, Yuvraj Singh, keeping place thanks to his bowling form, will want to get some runs to tell his detractors what he is capable of.

Calm and collective Dhoni will hold lower middle order together and can go for big ones when a need arises. Late order power hitting will be provided by India’s new sensation, Yusuf Pathan, who is in form of his life and has shown his hitting prowess in recently ODI series against New Zealand and South Africa.

The pitch conditions at Mirpur will make India to opt for only two seamers and in-form and dependable Zaheer is going to be surely one of them. Out of other three seamers in the squad, Ashish Nehra should make the cut for his wicket taking ability that he displayed in 2010.

Much debatable thing in recent times in India has been regarding ace off-spinner Harbhajan Singh’s partner in the spin department. All that seems to have been put to an end with leg spinner Piyush Chawla performing well in both warm-up games and looks a favourite for the spot.